The government has confirmed that there are currently no plans to introduce an extra Bank Holiday on Monday, July 20, should England win the 2026 World Cup. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told The Express that while the government is "backing the England team all the way," the "current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established." The department also stated it did not want to "do anything that risks tempting fate," leaving the possibility of a change of heart closer to the final.
The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with an 8pm UK kick-off. If England were to win, it would end 60 years of hurt since their 1966 victory. However, the government's stance remains firm for now.
No Bank Holiday for Mexico Round of 16 Match
England fans hoping for a day off to recover from the Round of 16 clash against Mexico on Monday, July 6, will also be disappointed. The match kicks off at 1am UK time and could end as late as 3.30am if it goes to penalties. The government confirmed there are no plans for a Bank Holiday on that date either.
Initially, the government told The Express there was no change to pub opening hours for the Mexico game, leaving it to local councils to approve late openings. However, emergency legislation was later announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to allow pubs to open until 5am.
PM Starmer Refuses to Rule Out Future Bank Holiday
Last month, Sir Keir Starmer refused to be drawn on plans for a new Bank Holiday if England win the World Cup. During the G7 summit in France, he told reporters he didn't want to "jinx" it but noted that England's last World Cup win in 1966 was under a Labour government. He hinted that a fresh Bank Holiday could be on the table, saying, "I'm not going to jinx the World Cup. But, you know, the last time we won the World Cup it was a Labour government. And so it's absolutely clear that we only win World Cups under a Labour government. So let's hope that this is the next opportunity."
Andy Burnham Calls Speculation Premature
PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham, who could become prime minister on July 20 if he remains the only candidate to succeed Sir Keir, said speculation about a Bank Holiday "might be a bit premature." The former Greater Manchester mayor told LBC that England had "a bit of improvement to do before we can start seriously dreaming of it coming home." An Everton fan, Burnham added, "I'm an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don't do it with England either."
Previous Bank Holidays and Women's Football
Scotland already enjoyed an extra Bank Holiday on Monday, June 15, to celebrate their World Cup campaign. In contrast, no Bank Holiday was granted when England's women won the Euro 2025 trophy last summer. In 2023, Sir Keir, then leader of the opposition, had called for a celebratory Bank Holiday if the Lionesses won the World Cup, but they lost 1-0 to Spain in the final.
