Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to declare a bank holiday should England win the World Cup, with Friday 24 July 2026 the most likely date for celebrations following the final on Sunday 19 July in New Jersey.
England, who beat Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16, face Norway in the quarter-final in Miami on Saturday. A victory would likely set up a semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on 15 July. Starmer has resisted calls to lobby FIFA over Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, even as US President Donald Trump successfully persuaded FIFA to suspend a ban on American player Folarin Balogun.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would "probably not" support an extra holiday, while Scotland already declared a bank holiday in June for its participation in the tournament.