British Open 2026: England's World Cup run is setting up a 'great problem to have' come Sunday at Birkdale

SOUTHPORT, England — Mark Darbon, R&A CEO, says he'll be rooting for England's football team Wednesday night as the country takes on Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. Should it win and make it to the finals for the first time since 1966, however, it will create what Darbon describes as a "great problem to have" come Sunday night with the collision between the sports' biggest events.

The Open Championship's final round is scheduled to end at 6:40 p.m. local time, which would then leave fans in the area anxious to get to TVs to see the World Cup's 8 p.m. kickoff, the match starting at 3 p.m. in the United States.

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Asked about the matter during his Wednesday press conference, Darbon acknowledged that the R&A has given a lot of thought about potentially moving up Sunday's tee times to provide more room between the two events, but that for now, things remain as scheduled.

"Because I'm an England football fan, we should also wait to see how the semifinal goes before we get too far ahead," Darbon joked in hopes of not jinxing the team. "Our final putt is currently scheduled for around 6:40 on Sunday. We think that, even if we go to a three-hole playoff, we've got time to complete the championship. So at this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we'll maintain that under review and finalize our position after the semifinal."

It's safe to say football fever is alive and well in England, even among the players in the Open. Matt Fitzpatrick, lamenting how gambling has begun impacting fan behavior at golf tournaments, said he's got £20 on England winning it all. Justin Rose had hoped for a little later tee time on Thursday than his 9:42 a.m. start so that he could enjoy watching the semifinal game that starts at 8 p.m. local time.

"Obviously we're going to be watching," Rose said. "But at the same time, I'm going to watch it with an eye on what's important for me as well and not get too high and low and keep my own emotions in check. We've got big things as well to do this week, but at the same time, it's a match where if you think that you're not going to watch it, you're probably kidding yourself."

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