UK Promises Extra Bank Holiday If England Wins World Cup
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged an extra bank holiday if England wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the team facing Norway in the semi-finals on July 12.
UK interim Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that if England's national football team wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the government would declare an additional public holiday. England has qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Norway on July 12 at 4:00 AM Thai time. The Three Lions have not reached a World Cup final since their home victory in 1966, which remains their sole final appearance. Starmer recently indicated that an extra bank holiday might be announced should England claim the World Cup title. "Regarding bank holidays, I don't want to say anything that might jinx us, but ask me again if we reach the final," he said. According to BBC, the additional holiday would fall on Friday, July 24, the day following England's championship. The UK has eight standard public holidays each year, with extra days off typically declared only for major royal events such as Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in 2022 and King Charles III's coronation ceremony in 2023.
