Will England get a Bank Holiday if team wins the World Cup? Potential date revealed ahead of Argentina semi-final
The government is considering an extra bank holiday if England win the World Cup, with the final set to be played next Sunday.
It is understood that Friday, July 24, will be celebrated as a public holiday if England win the tournament, 60 years after their first and only victory in the tournament.
England moved one step closer to the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Norway after extra time on Saturday night and were saved once again by a brace from an enthusiastic Jude Bellingham.
The Prime Minister was reluctant to confirm a bank holiday when asked about the possibility of a celebration at last week’s NATO summit in Ankara, but hinted it was on the cards.
Sir Keir Starmer told reporters on Wednesday: “I don’t want to jinx it but ask me again if we’ve made it to the final.”
The comments come a week after Andy Burnham, who is tipped to replace Sir Keir as prime minister, described speculation of a bank holiday if England win the World Cup as “a bit premature”.
He told Andrew Marr on LBC after England’s hard-fought victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 1: “We have to live in hope. I think it might be a little early to speculate.”
“It would be a great moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray for that. I’m an Evertonian, I don’t support anything when it comes to football, I don’t support anything with England.”
Kemi Badenoch said on Monday that she would probably not support a bank holiday if England won the World Cup, arguing that “the private sector will still be working and the public sector will have a day off”.
“Unfortunately, we all know what happens during the bank holiday – the private sector is still working, the public sector will have a day off and you will all have to pay for it,” he said.
This is not the first time a bank holiday has been proposed to celebrate English football glory, something fans demanded after the Lionesses won the Euros last year. The women’s team instead celebrated with an open-top bus parade in central London and a visit to Downing Street.
England will need to dispatch Argentina to face the winner of the Spain-France match in the final on July 19, shown from 20:00 GMT on Wednesday. France are narrow favorites to beat Spain on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions moved one step closer to the final after a thrilling victory over Norway last night.
Andreas Schjelderup took the lead by passing Jordan Pickford in the 36th minute, but Jude Bellingham equalized at 45+2 with an assist from Anthony Gordon.
Following the VAR review, Norway’s second goal was canceled in the 57th minute. The nine-minute stoppage time was not enough to find the winner and the teams went to extra time.
Jude Bellingham wasted no time in scoring again and England, who brought in Jørgen Strand Larsen from Crystal Palace to replace star striker Erling Haaland, had almost half an hour left to put Norway behind.
England fans say the result is all that matters after describing the Three Lions’ performance against Norway as “leggy”.
Russell Osborne, 34, from Birmingham, said: “The kids were very leggy but we sorted it out.
“As long as we send those kids home, that’s all that matters.”
Jamie Smith, 31, also from Birmingham, said: “The first half was shaky but we dug deep. Jude saved us again.”
Friends Scott Bickerton and Ashley Wager say they are confident England will go all the way at the World Cup.
Mr Bickerton said: “We’re going to win, aren’t we? This year, we’re going to win. I’m confident.”
Asked what gives him confidence, Mr Bickerton said: “Bellingham. Birmingham City, top class.”
Ashley Wager added: “It’s definitely coming home. The great German Thomas Tuchel is in charge.”
“We’ve got the great Dan Burn in the background, giving it his all in the last 10 minutes again.
“Come on England, he’s coming home.”
