The 2026 FIFA World Cup for men will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Sweden will participate in the tournament. Due to the time difference, several matches will be broadcast late at night or early in the morning Swedish time. Sweden's opening match against Tunisia on June 15 starts at 04:00 Swedish time, according to multiple media reports. This scheduling poses a challenge for bars and restaurants that wish to show the games but are restricted by alcohol serving hours.
Region Gotland has temporarily extended serving hours during the World Cup, allowing serving until 08:00 when Sweden plays, subject to individual application review, Region Gotland said. The decision to extend serving hours was made by Ragnar Gustavii (M), chairman of the Environment and Building Committee, on delegation of the committee, according to Region Gotland. Under normal rules, alcohol may be served between 11:00 and 01:00, and previously the latest permitted serving time was 03:00, according to official sources. In exceptional cases, after special review, temporary extended serving hours can be granted outside the ordinary time frames, and such possibility is now given in connection with the World Cup, Region Gotland stated. A decision on further extension may be linked to special conditions, such as requirements for extra security guards or other preventive measures, Region Gotland added.
Gävle kommun's Social Committee has proposed an initiative to allow restaurants and other serving establishments to be open during matches, according to Gävle kommun. The initiative has been sent to the police and the municipality's environmental and health protection unit for their opinions before the new temporary rules can take effect, Gävle kommun said. If the initiative passes, establishments with a valid serving permit can apply to serve alcohol until 07:00 to show World Cup matches, according to Gävle kommun. Additionally, establishments can receive guests without a requirement for pre-booking, and can serve without a requirement for food in connection with matches, provided the food requirement in the Alcohol Act is removed on June 1, Gävle kommun stated. A final decision on extended serving hours in Gävle is expected during week 17 or 18, according to Gävle kommun. Gävle kommun recommends that establishments wait to apply for extended serving hours until further information is provided.
Other Swedish municipalities have shown mixed responses. Stockholm has declined to extend alcohol service beyond 05:00, according to Expressen Sport. Göteborg's red-green coalition has proposed temporary permits until 06:00, Expressen Sport reported. Moderaterna in Växjö have demanded extended opening hours during the World Cup, according to SVT Småland. Eight restaurants in Strängnäs and Mariefred have been granted extended outdoor serving until midnight from April to October, according to multiple reports. O'Learys in Eskilstuna hopes to get a permit to stay open until 06:00 for Sweden matches, according to Eskilstuna-Kuriren. Örebro's Bygg- och miljönämnd is expected to adopt temporary guidelines for extended hours from June 11 to July 19, according to SVT Örebro. Extended hours in Örebro will not apply to nightclubs or venues with live performances, according to multiple reports. Joaquin Salazar wants his bar open during World Cup nights, according to Jönköpings-Posten. Borås Tidning has produced a proposal for extended serving permits, according to Borås Tidning.