The 'other kick-off': NGOs warn of domestic violence spike during World Cup
As England began its pursuit of World Cup glory, large panels could be seen in London's streets displaying the words "11:37pm: The Other Kick Off".
This is the name of an awareness campaign launched by Women's Aid – one of the United Kingdom's leading organisations fighting domestic violence – to coincide with the national team's first World Cup match against Croatia on 17 June.
In this context, kick-off refers not just to the start of the match, but the time of night when an abusive partner comes home after watching the match – a moment dreaded by many women and children.
The campaign was rolled out across digital billboards, mobile advertising trucks and posters placed near fan zones.
QR codes direct people to the organisation's support services, which are aimed not just at victims but at their loved ones, and witnesses.
"For women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, the 'kick-off' takes on a different meaning," Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, said.
"The final whistle marks the start of a terrifying and potentially life-threatening situation."
Reported rise
While the charity points out that "football is not the root cause of domestic violence", it added: "We also know that heightened emotions and alcohol consumption can lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of such violence."
In a country where football culture is deeply ingrained, several studies have documented this phenomenon.
A 2013 study by Lancaster University, which analysed reports from North West England during the 2002, 2006, and 2010 World Cups, showed a rise in domestic violence on nights when England played: a 38 percent increase following a defeat, and a 26 percent increase following a win or a draw.
During the 2018 World Cup, the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) organised a hard-hitting campaign: "If England get beaten, so will she."
The UK is not the only country where this phenomenon has been recorded.
"Across the globe, the number of reports of domestic violence made to the police rises with depressing predictability during major sporting events, such as the World Cup," UNESCO and UN Women reported.
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service, responsible for prosecutions in England and Wales, is urging victims to come forward and reiterating that domestic abuse is a "serious crime".
According to the National Police Chiefs' Council, more than 300 domestic abuse offences were reported during the Euro 2024 tournament by victims who believed the perpetrator's behaviour was linked to football.
International response
In the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup – Mexico, Canada and the United States – organisations combatting violence against women have coordinated their efforts to raise awareness of the issue.
Women's Shelters Canada, the Red Nacional de Refugios in Mexico, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence in the US have jointly launched a trilingual campaign to give guidance to victims.
'Home is the most dangerous place for women and girls': UN report
In Mexico, UN Women, Unicef, UNFPA and the country's government have also launched the "Teaming Up Against Domestic Violence" campaign, aimed at helping neighbours, loved ones and communities recognise the warning signs and intervene before the violence escalates.
In France, there have been no specific studies on the links between football or major sporting events and domestic violence.
Representatives from the 3919 domestic violence helpline told French news agency AFP that it was difficult to establish a correlation based on the calls it received.
Women contacting the line "do not specify whether they were slapped because there was a match the day before," noted Mine Günbay, director of the Fédération Nationale Solidarité Femmes (FNSF), which manages the 3919 service.
Heatwave alert
Researchers have found that another aggravating factor coinciding with events such as the World Cup is the intense heat currently being experienced in several countries.
According to a study published in 2025 by the Spotlight Initiative – a joint programme of the UN and the European Union – every 1C rise during an extreme heatwave is linked to an approximately 5 percent increase in domestic violence.
Here, too, experts urge caution, saying that heat does not cause – and therefore does not excuse – violence, but can act as a factor that lowers inhibitions or exacerbates a situation.
Amnesty warns of 'serious risks' to certain fans during 2026 World Cup
The World Cup has also highlighted other forms of economic abuse and coercive control.
Argentina provided US authorities with a list of more than 13,000 individuals registered as not paying their child support, seeking to bar them from attending the national team's matches in the US, as reported by the daily newspaper La Nación.
"Anyone who fails to meet an obligation as fundamental as providing for their children must face the consequences," government spokesman Jorge Macri said.