Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dropped his strongest indication yet that the nation would be rewarded with a bank holiday if England’s men’s football team wins the World Cup. Speaking ahead of the quarter-final clash with Norway, Starmer said he wanted to give the country a day off to celebrate what would be the first World Cup victory since 1966, but stopped short of making a formal announcement, saying he did not want to “jinx” the team’s progress.
The prime minister is understood to be poised to confirm the holiday should Thomas Tuchel’s side lift the trophy, according to sources close to Downing Street. The most likely date for the additional public holiday would be Friday 24 July, the day after the final, though no official date has been set. Starmer’s comments have sparked widespread speculation that the government is preparing to legislate for a one-off bank holiday, a move that would require parliamentary approval.
England’s men’s team last won the World Cup in 1966, a victory that remains a defining moment in the nation’s sporting history. A win this year would end six decades of near-misses and heartbreak, including penalty shootout losses and semi-final defeats. The prospect of a bank holiday has been welcomed by fans and business groups alike, though some have raised concerns about the economic impact of an unscheduled day off.
The prime minister’s hint comes as the team prepares for a crucial quarter-final match against Norway, a side that has impressed in the tournament. Starmer, a known football fan, has been careful not to overstate expectations, but his comments reflect growing optimism that England could go all the way. “I don’t want to jinx it,” he said, “but if they bring it home, the country deserves to celebrate.”
The proposed bank holiday would be similar to the one-off holiday granted for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the royal wedding in 2011. However, unlike those events, a World Cup win would be an unplanned celebration, requiring swift legislative action. The government would need to pass a statutory instrument to create the holiday, a process that could be completed within days if the team reaches the final.
Business leaders have expressed mixed reactions. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it would support a bank holiday if it boosted national morale and consumer spending, but warned that last-minute closures could disrupt supply chains and small businesses. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called for clarity, urging the government to confirm the date as soon as possible to allow firms to plan.
Fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media to express their excitement, with many already planning street parties and public gatherings. The Football Association (FA) has declined to comment on the political developments, focusing instead on the team’s preparations. England manager Thomas Tuchel has said his players are “fully focused” on the tournament and not distracted by talk of holidays.
The bank holiday would apply across England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to follow suit, though devolved administrations would need to make their own arrangements. The last time a sporting victory led to a national holiday was in 2003, when England’s rugby union team won the World Cup, though that was not a formal bank holiday but a day of celebration declared by then-prime minister Tony Blair.
If England win the World Cup, the bank holiday would be the first of its kind for a football victory in over half a century. Starmer’s hint has added to the sense of anticipation, but the prime minister remains cautious. “Let’s not count our chickens,” he said. “First, they have to win the quarter-final.”
