Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that an England World Cup victory could lead to an extra bank holiday, speaking ahead of the team's quarter-final clash with Norway at the weekend. While attending the Nato conference in Ankara, Starmer was asked whether he would support a bank holiday if England win the tournament, to which he replied: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final."
Timing of Potential Bank Holiday
The final is scheduled for Sunday July 19, and sources suggest the following Friday has been earmarked as the most likely date for a celebratory bank holiday. Starmer praised Monday's win over Mexico as "one of the best England performances I've ever seen," and a victory against Norway would bring England closer to their first World Cup win in 60 years.
Starmer's Banter with Norwegian Counterpart
During the Nato summit, Starmer exchanged banter with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, reminding him that England only win the World Cup under a Labour government. Starmer told reporters: "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
Starmer also addressed calls to intervene in Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, after Donald Trump persuaded Fifa to suspend US player Folarin Balogun's suspension. Starmer 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."
Fan Reactions
Ahead of the quarter-final, thousands of England fans are expected in Miami, with the game likely to feel like a home tie. Reflecting on the Mexico match, England fan Ben Shaw, 33, from Preston, said: "It was the best footballing experience of my life – and I don't think even if we win it here, we've said this, if we win it, I don't think it'll beat that. That's how good it was." He added: "If I paid 300 dollars for Mexico, that's a bargain, because I'd have paid £2,000 for that if I needed to."
George Crotty, 31, from Manchester, described the Mexico game as "incredible" and "something to remember forever." Asked if anything could surpass that experience, he said: "I think maybe if we win it, maybe winning it. Obviously we've got to get through the game against Norway first and see how that goes."
Another fan, Tobi Garrett, 22, from Essex, expressed optimism about England's chances: "It feels different this year. Genuinely, I think that. As much as I love Gareth Southgate, I don't think under Southgate we do what we did against Mexico. It was 25 minutes with 10 men – Dan Burn came on and he's probably a national hero now."
