Extra Bank Holiday Monday if England win World Cup update issued | UK | News

No plans will be put in place for a Bank Holiday Monday on July 20 if England win the World Cup according to the latest official government information. England fans will be dreaming of football coming home once again as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions anticipate a small hours clash against Mexico on Monday which could see them into the quarter-finals and one step closer the World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, July 19.

Of course, Mexico will be a stern test and by no means an easy game. Despite to-ing and fro-ing about the kick-off due to a forecast storm, the Round of 16 knockout game is currently set to go ahead at 1am UK time on Monday. The government confirmed to The Express that there are not currently any plans for a Bank Holiday on Monday to help with the late game, which could end as late as 3.30am if it went all the way to penalties.

But there will be no Bank Holiday on Monday, July 20 either, should England do the impossible and win the tournament to end 60 years of hurt, based on the latest information from government.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government assured The Express that the Government would be “backing the England team all the way” but added that “the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established” when asked if there are plans in place for a new July 20 Bank Holiday Monday.

The Department added that it did not want to “do anything that risks tempting fate”, which could leave the door slightly ajar for a change of heart closer to the big day.

It comes after the government told The Express there was no change to pub opening hours for the Mexico game, and stressed that it would be left to local councils to approve applications for late opening this coming Monday. But the day after, emergency legislation was announced by Sir Keir Starmer to allow pubs to open until 5am.

Last month, Sir Keir refused to be drawn on plans for a new Bank Holiday if England win the World Cup, which would land on Monday, June 20, the day after the final on June 19.

During the gathering of world leaders at the G7 summit in France, the PM was asked if he would declare a new Bank Holiday if England lifts the trophy.

Scotland has already enjoyed an extra Bank Holiday for this World Cup, after the Scottish Government laid on an extra Bank Holiday on Monday, June 15, to celebrate the Scottish national team kicking off their World Cup campaign for the first time in decades.

Asked at the conference if England will get a day to celebrate a possible tournament win, Sir Keir told reporters he didn’t want to “jinx” it but stressed that England’s last win, the famous victory over West Germany in 1966, was under a Labour government too.

He also hinted that a fresh Bank Holiday for England could be on the table, but refused to rule it out or commit to one either.

“I’m not going to jinx the World Cup,” Sir Keir said.

“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.”

PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham said speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup “might be a bit premature”.

Mr Burnham could become prime minister as soon as July 20 if he remains the only candidate to succeed Sir Keir Starmer.

The World Cup final will take place in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in the US on Sunday July 19 at 8pm UK time.

If no other candidates step forward, the former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17, the day after nominations for the position close.

But it is understood he would not become prime minister immediately, with the formal handover taking place on the next working day, July 20, in line with the party’s previous practice.

The Makerfield MP told LBC that the England team had “a bit of improvement to do before we can start seriously dreaming of it coming home”.

Asked by Andrew Marr about England’s performance in Wednesday’s victory, the Everton fan said: “We struggled, let’s say. And full respect to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves.

“There’s a very big game coming up on Sunday. We do have to live in hope. I think, you know, it might be a bit premature to be speculating.

“It would be a fantastic moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray that.

“I’m an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don’t do it with England either.”

There was no Bank Holiday in place in 2022 when England’s women lifted the Euros trophy for the first time, but the leader of the opposition at the time was Sir Keir, who also called for an extra Bank Holiday if the Lionesses won the 2023 World Cup.

At that time, he backed calls for a Bank Holiday. He had called the idea “a proper day of celebration”.

When England’s women reached the World Cup final in 2023, he posted on Twitter: “There should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”

But sadly, the Lionesses didn’t manage to win the World Cup, narrowly losing out to Spain 1-0 in the final. However, they did lift the Euro 2025 trophy last summer, but no Bank Holiday was announced for it by the Labour government.