Extra Bank Holiday Monday if England win World Cup update issued | UK | News
According to the government’s latest official information, there will be no plans for a bank holiday on Monday, July 20, if England win the World Cup. England fans will be dreaming of football returning home once again as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions await a minor clash against Mexico on Monday that could see them progress to the quarter-finals and move one step closer to the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
Of course, Mexico will be a tough test and it will definitely not be an easy match. Despite back and forth over kick-off due to predicted storms, the Round of 16 knockout match is currently set to be played at 1am UK time on Monday. The Government confirmed to The Express that there are no plans for a Bank Holiday on Monday to help the later stages of the game and that it could end as early as 3.30am if it goes all the way to penalties.
However, according to the latest information from the government, if England do the impossible and win the tournament that will end 60 years of pain, there will be no public holiday on Monday, July 20.
The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government assured The Express that the Government would “fully support the England team” but added that “the current bank and bank holiday model is well established” when asked if there were plans for a new Bank Holiday on Monday 20 July.
The ministry added that it did not want to “do anything to tempt fate”, which could leave the door slightly ajar for a change of heart closer to the big day.
It comes after the government told The Express there was no change to pub opening times for the Mexico game and stressed it would be left to local councils to approve late opening applications next Monday. But the next day Sir Keir Starmer announced emergency legislation allowing pubs to open until 5am.
Last month Sir Keir refused to agree with plans for a new Bank Holiday if England won the World Cup, which would take place on Monday 20 June – the day after the final on 19 June.
During a gathering of world leaders at the G7 summit in France, the Prime Minister was asked whether he would declare a new public holiday if England lifted the trophy.
Scotland has enjoyed an extra Bank Holiday for this World Cup after the Scottish Government introduced an extra Bank Holiday on Monday 15 June to celebrate the Scottish national team kicking off their first World Cup campaign in decades.
Asked at the conference whether England would take a day to celebrate a potential tournament win, Sir Keir told reporters he did not want to “jinx” it but stressed that England’s last win, the famous victory over West Germany in 1966, had also come under a Labor government.
He also hinted that a new bank holiday for England could be on the table but refused to rule it out or make such a commitment.
“I won’t jinx the World Cup,” Sir Keir said.
“But you know, the last time we won the World Cup it was a Labor government.
“And it’s clear that we’re only winning World Cups under a Labor government.
“So let’s hope this is the next opportunity.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said speculation about a bank holiday if England won the World Cup “may be a bit premature”.
Mr Burnham could become prime minister on July 20 if he remains the sole candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer.
The World Cup final will take place on Sunday, July 19 at 20:00 UK time at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
If no other candidates come forward, the former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to be officially announced as Labor leader at a special conference on July 17, the day after nominations close for the position.
However, it is understood that he will not become prime minister immediately, as the official transfer will take place on July 20, the next business day, in accordance with the party’s previous practice.
The Makerfield MP told LBC that the England team had “some development to do before we start seriously dreaming of returning home”.
Asked by Andrew Marr about England’s performance in Wednesday’s victory, the Everton supporter said: “Let’s say we struggled. I have full respect for the Democratic Republic of Congo as well, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves.”
“There’s a big game coming up on Sunday. We have to live with hope. I think it might be a little early to speculate.”
“It would be a wonderful moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray for it.
“I’m an Evertonian, I don’t support anything when it comes to football, I don’t support anything in England either.”
There were no bank holidays in 2022, when England’s women lifted the Euros for the first time, but the leader of the opposition at the time was Sir Keir, who demanded extra bank holidays if the Lionesses won the 2023 World Cup.
At the time, he supported calls for public holidays. He called the idea “a fitting day of celebration.”
When England’s women reached the World Cup final in 2023, she posted on Twitter: “There should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”
But unfortunately the Lionesses failed to win the World Cup, losing narrowly 1-0 to Spain in the final. However, they scrapped the Euro 2025 trophy last summer but the Labor government did not declare a bank holiday for it.
