Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has encouraged England supporters to make the most of an upcoming World Cup crunch match, despite its late kickoff on a school night. Framing the fixture as a rare national occasion, Burnham has urged fans to embrace staying up until the early hours, and he plans to participate personally by watching the match until 3am.

Burnham has used the moment to revive his criticism of the four-decade-old prohibition on alcohol sales in football stands across England's top divisions. Originally implemented to combat hooliganism, Burnham argues the blanket ban is outdated, suggesting modern stadium management and policing can accommodate responsible drinking without the safety risks that once justified the restriction.