With the first World Cup 2026 matches set to kick off in a matter of days, football fans might be tempted to fly an England flag.

But displaying the St George’s cross on your house could result in a hefty fine if done incorrectly.

England supporters must follow certain rules when it comes to flying the flag on flagpoles, or risk having to pay up.

Only one flag on a vertical flagpole attached to the roof of a building is permitted, according to the Government’s Flying Flags Guide.

Flags attached to the sides of buildings must not exceed two square meters in size.

Those wanting to fly a larger flag must attach it to the roof in order for it adhere to the guidelines.

Flags can also not be displayed alongside any advertising, additional text or logos and can’t obstruct official transport signage such as road and railway signs.

If the council’s requests for a flag to be removed is refused, households can be fined.

Breaking the rules, which apply to any national flag, can result in charges starting at £100 – although larger fines of up to £2,500 can be given for repeat offences.

The guidelines read: “Two flags on the same flagpole projecting from any part of a building are permitted provided one of the flags is from category (a) (flags which do not need consent) such as a national flag and that flag is flown in the superior position.

“Otherwise, only one flag on a projecting flagpole on a building is permitted. The flag may not exceed 2 square metres in size.”

Small flags hung from the likes of windows and bunting displaying the England flag are permitted.

Meanwhile, flags can not be hung on street furniture such as lamp posts without permission from the council.