Police have launched an operation to locate and arrest 114 banned English football hooligans who have not surrendered their passports ahead of England’s World Cup opener in Dallas against Croatia on Wednesday. The UK’s head of football policing says details ha
The tension starts with a passport—and it has spread across the days before England’s World Cup opener in Dallas.
More than 100 banned English football hooligans have not handed in their passports ahead of England’s World Cup debut in the United States. An operation has now been launched to track down and arrest those yet to do so after the UK’s head of football policing issued a final warning.
A total of 2,439 thugs are subject to Football Banning Orders across England and Wales, banning them from attending any match. Of those, 1,978 are also required to surrender their passports during international tournaments. By Monday, 94 per cent of those have been handed in at police stations, but 114 remain outstanding.
England kick off their tournament against Croatia on Wednesday, with thousands of Three Lions’ fans expected in Dallas. Many supporters travelling from the UK have already left the country, while police work to ensure the small remaining group does not cross that line.
The details of the 114 who have not handed in their passports have been shared with American authorities. In the event that any of the banned fans have managed to make it into the US, they could face arrest when they return to the UK.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the NPCC lead for football policing, said: “Football banning orders are an effective way of dealing with football fans who commit offences at football matches, and as can be seen, the vast majority of those who are subject to the orders have been compliant.”
He added: “Unfortunately, there are a small number of fans who have yet to surrender their passports, and work is ongoing to locate and arrest them.”
Roberts said the sharing of information would also change what happens if anyone tries to attend: “In addition. we have now shared their details with the American authorities. meaning that if they do attempt to attend the World Cup then they will face the full force of the authorities in the USA. as well as those here in the UK when they return.”.
There is a stark contrast in the numbers: 94 per cent compliance with passport hand-ins. set against 114 people still refusing to surrender. With England’s first whistle now close. police are moving quickly to make sure the World Cup week does not become a test of whether the rules can be enforced across borders as well as on home soil.
England World Cup 2026 Dallas Croatia football banning orders hooligans passports Mark Roberts NPCC police operation International tournaments
114 hooligans just… like why didn’t they hand in the passports sooner?
So they shared names with American authorities? That seems extreme for “football fans.” I’m confused why it’s Dallas specifically, like are they already in the crowd?
Wait reply to 1— I thought they were only tracking 114 people TOTAL, not like 2,439? The article makes it sound like almost everyone complied but then it’s still a big operation. Also banned hooligans can’t just fly back and forth right? lol.
I don’t buy it. If they really had 114 outstanding then they would’ve arrested them at the airport already. Sounds like “operation” is just a headline and they’re gonna find none of them. Meanwhile normal fans gonna get caught up cause of the name thing.