Win or lose, everyone deserves to feel safe at home
The 2026 Men’s World Cup brings excitement and joy to many so people around the world. But for many women, it can be a time of fear.
Research from countries around the world shows a strong link between sporting events, like the World Cup, and an increase in domestic violence.
A 2025 report by Alcohol Action Ireland [1] examining the links between alcohol consumption and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified concerning trends around major sporting events. The report included analysis of nearly 800 Manchester United and Manchester City matches over an eight-year period. While incidents of domestic abuse fell during matches, they increased significantly in the hours that followed, with rates peaking between 10 and 12 hours after the final whistle.
In the U.K., studies have shown that, domestic abuse increased by 26% when the national team won or drew during World Cup matches. When England lost, incidents increased by 38%. [2]. Countries like Brazil [3] and Australia [4] have similar findings.
Around the world, 1 in 3 women will experience violence in their lifetime [5]. This is a score nobody should accept. Â
So, while we can enjoy the World Cup, let’s also pledge to raise awareness of the link between domestic violence and sporting events. Sign our pledge today and stand with survivors around the world.
When you sign our pledge, we’ll share our downloadable Men’s World Cup match tracker to put up in your home, school, workplace, or anywhere to raise awareness of our key message: win or lose, everyone deserves to feel safe at home.
Around the world we fund women’s groups and safe spaces, and we support survivors to access legal aid, counselling and livelihoods training. And to build lives free from violence.
