Magistrates have been criticised for inconsistency in their decisions over extended licensing hours for World Cup matches.
While some magistrates have granted extensions for all early matches, others have only granted extensions for matches involving England and Ireland.
But licensees and trade leaders believe the High Court decision last month ruled the World Cup as an event was a special occasion - not just England and Ireland games.
In London's West Kensington the F3K pub, for instance, has been granted a licence to show all early kick-offs regardless of whether England are playing.
But Trafford magistrates in Manchester have turned down applications to show all early games - and are delaying decisions on later rounds depending on England's success.
And in Guernsey the home affairs committee, part of the government, and the chief of police have said they will not support any early opening.
The president of Guernsey Licensed Victuallers, Mark Pontin, said: "This has poured cold water on the spirit of celebration and has prevented an enjoyable and unique experience. We are also concerned that business will be lost to our sister islands with such a short-sighted and non-trusting action."
The F3K bar will be broadcasting the games in seven different languages and offering breakfasts from the different countries taking part in the tournament.
Licensee Richard Marshall-Duffield said some foreign customers had already booked tables for breakfast.
"People like to go to the pub to watch the football, so why shouldn't they be able to watch it in their own language," Mr Marshall-Duffield said. "The area around here is very multi-cultural."
Chris Reed, licensee of the Hat and Feathers in Cambridge, wanted to show all the early matches because many of his customers are foreign students from nearby colleges.
Although magistrates originally turned him down, Punch Pub Company, which owns the pub, paid for Mr Reed to appeal his case and he has now been granted an extension for all the early games.
"The World Cup is a festival of football for fans from every country," said Punch's head of marketing Geoff Brown. "We should be proud that people of all nationalities want to enjoy these games in a British pub."
Meanwhile, up to three million football fans - a quarter of them women - intend to enjoy a pint while watching the England versus Sweden game on June 2, according to consumer research conducted by Tesco.
Related stories:
Entrepreneur gains from World Cup licence confusion (3 May 2002)
Sports Café granted 6am licence for every World Cup match (1 May 2002)
Trade welcomes World Cup ruling (12 April 2002)
Blackpool licensees latest to win extended hours for World Cup (9 April 2002)
Trade awaits World Cup ruling (25 March 2002)
Sky hopes match day quizzes will challenge World Cup rule (14 March 2002)
Pubs granted World Cup extensions (1 March 2002)
Pubs will fight to open early and serve alcohol for World Cup (28 February 2002)
Extensions for World Cup fail (14 February 2002)
Publican's bid to open early for World Cup looks bleak (7 February 2002)
World Cup opening hours face objections from police (15 November 2001)
World Cup opening is still in balance (8 November 2001)
Pubs given nod to sell alcohol from 6am for World Cup matches (2 November 2001)
Early kick-off for World Cup means publicans may miss out on money-spinner (14 September 2001)
As World Cup fever intensifies over the coming weeks, publicans should be on the spot to cash in. We examine what's in store, taking a look at:
- sports pubs and making the most of the event
- the promotions the big brands are planning
- the screening options for the matches
- how Pepsi and Coca-Cola are going head to head
- the kick-off times and channels for the 63 matches
- the 32 finalist teams and their chances.
Click here to find out more.
Our legal team look at how to go about applying for extended hours for the World Cup here.