Keir Starmer is planning to announce a bank holiday if England win the World Cup, the Guardian understands, to celebrate the men’s national team finally bringing football home for the first time since 1966. The prime minister stopped short of announcing a date, saying he didn’t want to jinx England’s progress towards lifting the trophy – but it would most likely be on Friday 24 July. That would allow Thomas Tuchel’s victorious team time to return from the final, to be played on Sunday 19 July in New Jersey, and the Football Association a few days to arrange an open-top bus parade through central London.
As England prepare for their quarter-final clash with Norway in Miami on Saturday, Starmer – who would travel to the United States for the final if England make it – would no longer be in office by the time of the celebrations, leaving it to his expected successor, Andy Burnham, to welcome captain Harry Kane and his teammates to No 10. “On the question of a bank holiday, I think I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” Starmer said. He also revealed he had received multiple requests to approach Fifa to overturn the red card defender Jarell Quansah was given against Mexico, but declined. He did, however, intervene through diplomatic channels to oppose Fifa’s plan to bring forward that match. After talks with Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the Nato summit in Ankara, Starmer said the relationship was “as strong as it’s ever been … for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we’ll have to go our different ways”.
“Keir Starmer plans bank holiday if England win World Cup; Gary O'Neil set for Ipswich, Burnley pursue Bellamy.”
While the national team chase glory, managerial changes are afoot. Gary O’Neil is poised to become Ipswich’s new head coach, with the 43-year-old expected to return to England from Ligue 1 Strasbourg. There are only minor details to sort with O’Neil primed to succeed Kieran McKenna, who announced his wish to depart Ipswich after leading them to the top flight for a second time. O’Neil joined Strasbourg in January, replacing Liam Rosenior, who accepted the Chelsea job after Enzo Maresca’s exit. Last season, O’Neil led Strasbourg to eighth in Ligue 1 and the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they lost to Rayo Vallecano. In November he came close to returning to Wolves, his last Premier League job, but pulled out at the 11th hour. He has a longstanding relationship with Ipswich’s chief executive, Mark Ashton, and counts Norwich among his former clubs as a player.
Elsewhere, Burnley are pushing for Craig Bellamy to be their next head coach after contacting the Football Association of Wales. Burnley are seeking to replace Scott Parker after relegation to the Championship. Bellamy previously worked as an assistant to Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor and briefly as interim head coach when Kompany left for Bayern Munich in 2024. He recently stated his desire to lead Wales at Euro 2028, but has also made no secret of being attracted by club management. “Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven’t managed before,” Bellamy said. “It’s the best role in the world.”