Keir Starmer has vetoed England head coach Thomas Tuchel's call for parents to let their children bunk off school to watch the 1am UK time World Cup match against Mexico. The prime minister's spokesperson confirmed that while families should enjoy the game, children must attend school on Monday morning.
England qualified for the next round after a win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday evening. Tuchel urged parents to write excuses for their children, saying: "Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch, there will be a big, big match in four days and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children." The match could last until at least 3am UK time.
Starmer's Stance and Education Minister's Advice
Starmer's spokesperson said: "It is up to parents to make their own decisions. We want everyone to enjoy the game but children should be at school on Monday." The spokesperson added that education minister Jacqui Smith suggested a "disco nap" on Sunday to stay fresh for work and school the next day. Smith told LBC's Nick Ferrari: "I don't want to be a killjoy, but I'll tell you what the biggest killjoy is – young people who don't have the learning to be able to go on and do what they need to do in life." She said she would watch the match but take a disco nap beforehand and appear "fresh as a daisy" at work on Monday.
Impact on Parents and Calls for Bank Holiday
The babysitting app Bubble reported a 50% rise in Monday morning bookings, indicating parents are choosing late-night football over the school run. Meanwhile, England fans have campaigned for an emergency bank holiday on Monday, but a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said the current pattern of bank holidays is "well established". However, Starmer previously teased that an extra bank holiday could happen on 20 July if England wins the World Cup, but he didn't want to "jinx" the tournament by announcing it early. That date coincides with the likely assumption of office by Andy Burnham as the next Labour leader.
England will travel to the Azteca stadium in Mexico City, where Diego Maradona scored his "Hand of God" goal against England 40 years ago in the 1986 World Cup.
