Overview
- On Wednesday in Evian the prime minister told reporters he would not rule out declaring an extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 World Cup and joked that previous wins came under a Labour government.
- The comments were delivered as England prepared to play Croatia in Dallas under new manager Thomas Tuchel and were framed as political support rather than a formal government announcement.
- No UK-wide bank holiday has been confirmed and ministers would need to make an explicit decision and organise practical arrangements before a day off could be granted.
- Scotland has already authorised a one-off bank holiday on Monday 15 June to mark its World Cup kickoff, and MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion calling for a holiday on Monday 20 July if England win on 19 July.
- Starmer previously backed celebratory holidays while in opposition but the Labour government did not grant one after the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 win, a fact that sharpens public and partisan debate over any future decision.