If England win the World Cup, there could be a UK bank holiday on Friday, July 24, according to reports. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make his final trip to the US if England reach Sunday's final.
England's Path to the Final
Thomas Tuchel's squad is just 90 minutes away from becoming the second senior England team to reach a men's World Cup final since the famous 1966 victory. England face Argentina on Wednesday, powered by football icon Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals at this year's tournament. This will be England's first competitive meeting with Argentina since the 2002 World Cup, reports The Mirror.
Starmer's Plans for the Final
The Times reports that Starmer will attend the final match in New York if England triumph against Argentina. His trip will be just hours before tendering his resignation to the King, after announcing last month he would step down as Labour leader.
With the final kicking off at 3pm local time (8pm BST), the match should conclude by 11pm UK time. Starmer will then head to Newark Liberty Airport for a seven-hour overnight flight back to London. Upon arrival, he will deliver his final address on the steps of Downing Street before visiting Buckingham Palace to recommend that Andy Burnham form the next government.
Conditional Bank Holiday
If England beat Argentina, the government will reportedly announce plans for a conditional bank holiday on Friday, July 24, granted only in the event of a World Cup victory. Holding it on that date would give businesses time to prepare and likely coincide with the team's victory parade.
Starmer was previously asked earlier this month at the Nato summit if he would grant a bank holiday if England lift the trophy. He said: “On the question of a bank holiday, I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
Government Interventions
The PM recently intervened to block attempts to change the kick-off time for England's World Cup game against Mexico, amid fears it would give the hosts an unfair advantage. He also stepped in to let pubs stay open until 5am so fans could watch the game.
