While the FIFA World Cup generates much excitement among the UK public, it has also become a talking point in recent years due to a reported correlation with a rise in domestic abuse. This year, Refuge UK launched a ‘Show Domestic Abuse the Red Card’ campaign to coincide with the tournament, while Solace Women’s Aid ran a similar initiative titled ‘Stop It Coming Home.’
Looking specifically at Refuge UK, YouGov CharityIndex data shows that the charity recorded notable divergences in donation consideration between men and women throughout the World Cup period.
Ahead of the tournament, in April, Refuge UK’s two week moving average Consideration score stood at 15% among women and 8% among men, a seven-point gap that had remained relatively consistent for the most part.
As the tournament approached in late May, on 29th, Refuge UK recorded a Consideration score of 12% among women and 9% among men, leaving a gap of only around three points, the narrowest across the April-to-July period.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup kicking off on 11 June, Refuge UK’s Consideration score among women climbed sharply, reaching 21% on 7 June, compared with 8% among men. On 12 June, one day into the tournament, the score stood at 21% among women and 6% among men, a gap of 15 points, the widest recorded during the period.
The gap then narrowed. Women’s consideration score fell through the second half of June while the score among men moved higher. On 17 June, for example, Refuge UK recorded Consideration scores of 16% among women and 10% among men.
The following day, after England had beaten Croatia 4–2 in their opening World Cup match, Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin said that when England lose, incidences of domestic violence “go through the roof”, adding: “So boys, keep winning.” Refuge UK responded on 19 June, saying the comments were misleading and stressing that perpetrators, rather than football results, are responsible for domestic abuse.
England were eliminated from contention for the FIFA World Cup title on 15 July, losing to Argentina in the semi-final. On that date, Refuge UK’s two-week moving average Consideration score stood at 11% among women and 7% among men, a gap of around four points.
The FIFA World Cup concluded on 19 July. By 22 July, three days after the tournament ended, the gender gap in donation consideration for Refuge UK had widened again to around 11 points.
Methodology:
Consideration: If they asked tomorrow, which of the following charities would you be likely to donate £1 to? (% 'Yes')
Charity: Refuge UK
Timeline: 1 April - 31 July 2026
Moving average: 2 weeks
Image credit: Getty Images