Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that an England World Cup triumph could lead to an extra bank holiday, with the most likely date being Friday July 24, the day after the final on Sunday July 19. Speaking at the Nato summit in Ankara, Starmer praised England's performance against Mexico as "one of the best England performances I've ever seen" and hinted at a potential day off if the team wins the tournament for the first time in 60 years.
Starmer's Comments on Bank Holiday
When asked whether he would support a bank holiday if England clinch the World Cup, Sir Keir told journalists: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final." The final is scheduled for Sunday July 19, and the following Friday is understood to be the frontrunner for a celebratory bank holiday. England face Norway in the quarter-final on Saturday, July 10.
Light-Hearted Banter with Norwegian Counterpart
During his appearance at the Nato summit, Starmer engaged in light-hearted banter with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, pointing out that England only ever win the World Cup under a Labour government. He said: "I'm a good friend of his. The Norway-UK relationship is as strong as it's ever been and he's a key individual in the coalitions that we've been building. But for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we'll have to go our different ways as we go into that match."
Red Card Controversy
Sir Keir also revealed he had rebuffed pressure to seek the overturning of Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, following Donald Trump's intervention with FIFA to have US player Folarin Balogun's suspension lifted ahead of their clash against Belgium. He said: "I can't tell you how many messages I've had to rescind the red card that we received in the early hours of Monday. I hasten to add, I haven't attempted to do that."
