If England win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, the prime minister has given a heavy hint that the country will get an extra bank holiday. Sir Keir Starmer said he did not want to “jinx it” but advised: “Ask me again if we get to the final.” The final takes place on Sunday 19 July 2026, and the extra day off would most likely be on Friday 24 July — giving workers a long weekend to celebrate Thomas Tuchel’s team bringing football home.
A bank holiday is a public holiday when most businesses and schools close, and employees get a day off. In the UK, bank holidays are set by royal proclamation on the recommendation of the government. The prime minister has the power to propose an extra one-off holiday, as Starmer is understood to be planning if England win the World Cup. Downing Street insiders indicated that he would announce a day off if England won, according to the Guardian.
“Explains the proposed bank holiday if England win the World Cup, how it would work, and the political context.”
The timing of the potential holiday is unusual because Starmer is widely expected to step down as prime minister the day after the final — Sunday 20 July — to be replaced by Andy Burnham. If England reach the final, Starmer would likely travel to the United States for the match, which could briefly delay the handover of power. It would then be Burnham, as the expected successor, who would welcome captain Harry Kane and his teammates to No 10 to mark the occasion.
For English fans, the prospect of an extra bank holiday adds extra excitement to an already tense tournament. But it is not guaranteed: England still have to win three matches. They face Norway in the quarter-final on Saturday evening in Miami. If they beat Norway, they are likely to meet Argentina — the current world champions — in the semi-finals. France are the favourites to win the tournament, according to the Guardian.
Norway’s preparations have been disrupted by a hotel move after players complained about noise and logistical issues at their five-star hotel in Fort Lauderdale. The squad switched hotels in two and a half hours, with captain Martin Ødegaard saying they wanted to “optimise and prepare ourselves as best as possible”. Norway’s head coach Ståle Solbakken downplayed reports of illness in the camp, saying only the team manual therapist was unwell. England’s preparations have been unaffected.
Q: When would the bank holiday be if England win the World Cup? The extra bank holiday would most likely be on Friday 24 July 2026, the day after the final on Sunday 19 July. This would allow the team time to return from the final in New Jersey and for the Football Association to arrange an open-top bus parade through central London.
Q: Who decides whether to grant a bank holiday? The prime minister can recommend a bank holiday by royal proclamation. Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be planning to announce a day off if England win, but he stopped short of confirming it, saying he did not want to “jinx it”. Downing Street insiders said he would announce it if England won.
Q: What happens to the handover of power if England reach the final? If England make the final, Starmer would likely attend the match in the United States, which could briefly delay his planned resignation. He is widely expected to step down the day after the final, and his expected successor, Andy Burnham, would then welcome the England team to No 10 if they win.
England’s quarter-final against Norway kicks off on Saturday. If they win, the semi-final will follow, with the final on Sunday 19 July. Should England triumph, the country will know soon after whether the Friday off becomes a reality.