World Cup host cities to FORCE fans to tip at restaurants in crackdown on stingy foreigners

Host cities at this summer's World Cup are drawing up plans to make tipping mandatory at restaurants.

American restaurants are preparing for a clash with millions of foreign fans amid fears visitors will be unfamiliar with gratuity customs in the US - and won't tip.

Venues across host cities plan to add automatic service charges of up to 20 per cent to bills.

The tournament has already been labelled one of the most expensive sporting events ever staged.

Fans face soaring costs for tickets, accommodation and travel - and now, dining expenses will lighten their wallets further.

Kansas City, Missouri, will host six matches and welcome 650,000 visitors during the 40-day tournament.

The Missouri Restaurant Association has now urged local venues to bring in mandatory tips.

"We just want to make sure that the servers and bartenders actually get tipped," said Trey Meyers, the association's director of marketing and communications.

In the US, it is widely expected for diners to add a generous tip after their meal - and though tipping culture may be working its way into the UK and countries like Australia, it remains uncommon in a host of European and Asian nations.

Restaurants in the city are expected to apply automatic charges ranging from 18 to 22 per cent.

Boston, which will stage seven World Cup fixtures - including two Scotland games and an England match - is considering similar measures.

Some establishments there are said to be exploring dedicated mandatory service charges for fans only.

New Jersey - which will host one England game as well as the final - has taken a different approach.

The city is instead focusing on educating businesses about "cultural differences" in how different nationalities tip.

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On social media, fans have branded the measure "selfish" and have accused restaurants of price gouging.

"They're all going to be making more money since they're gonna be busy. Now they want even more?" one asked.

Hotel prices in host cities surged by more than 300 per cent following December's draw, according to The Atlantic.

Meanwhile, parking at Fifa-approved car parks in Los Angeles is said to cost more than match tickets in some cases.

International airfares, meanwhile, have more than doubled due to an 85 per cent surge in jet fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict.

ESPN analysis suggests some fans following their team could spend at least $34,000 this summer.

Back in Britain, the Prime Minister has urged Fifa bosses to make tickets more affordable - which has fallen on deaf ears.

"The World Cup doesn't lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special," he said.

The Government has also intervened in the UK's service industry ahead of the summer of football.

Pubs will remain open until 2am during World Cup fixtures involving England or Scotland - marking the first time in 10 years that such extended licensing hours have been granted for home nation knockout matches.

Katie McPhilimey, the brand and marketing director of Davenports Brewery, told GB News the move was "good news".

She said: “I think any positive news set against the current climate is a really good thing, and pubs have always gone hand in hand with sport.

“By cutting the red tape, allowing us to extend those hours, will boost community spirit, and hopefully give another reason why people should come together in a pub to watch it and enjoy it and cheer on their team.”