Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that an extra bank holiday could be granted in England if the national football team wins the World Cup this month. Speaking at a Nato summit in Ankara, Starmer responded to questions about a potential celebratory day off, saying: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final."
World Cup Victory Could Bring Extra Day Off
England's quarter-final match against Norway is set for Saturday, with a win bringing the team closer to their first World Cup victory in 60 years. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, and the following Friday, July 24, has been earmarked as the most likely date for an extra bank holiday, according to sources close to the government.
Starmer praised Monday's triumph over Mexico as "one of the best England performances I've ever seen." He also engaged in friendly banter with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at the summit, reminding him that England only win the World Cup under a Labour government.
Starmer Avoids Red Card Controversy
When asked about Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, Starmer revealed he had resisted pressure to intervene, unlike former US President Donald Trump, who successfully appealed to FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun's suspension. "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," Starmer said.
Nato Summit Highlights
During the Nato summit, Starmer emphasized the strong UK-Norway relationship, calling Store "a key individual in the coalitions that we've been building." However, he added: "But for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we'll have to go our different ways as we go into that match."
