Keir Starmer raises hopes of bank holiday if England win World Cup for first time since 1966

An extra bank holiday is likely heading England's way if the Three Lions win the World Cup on July 19 and “bring it home” for the first time since 1966.

The Prime Minister told journalists in Ankara, Turkey: “Let's see what happens if we get there.

"But 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 officials have hinted the outgoing prime minister would authorise a national day off for everyone to celebrate.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

GB News understands the most likely date for a bank holiday would be Friday, July 24 — one week after the final in New Jersey.

Talking to journalists at the Nato summit, Sir Keir lauded the football team's performance so far in North America, saying:“I thought we were fantastic the other night against Mexico, absolutely.

"I mean, one of the best England performances I've ever seen.

"I think in terms of strength and resilience and across the squad (and) across the team as well.”

In the incredible match on Monday night, England defeated Mexico in their home stadium, the Azteca, 3-2, despite playing with ten men for much of the second half, playing at an altitude of 7,000 feet, and having had little time to acclimatise.

This Saturday, they face Norway, who boast the formidable Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, in the quarter-final in Miami.

Yesterday, Sir Keir went straight from the plane to a bilateral meeting with the Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, with the pair appearing before the cameras sporting football shirts of their respective nations.

Sir Keir said: “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,” Sir Keir said.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Jordan Henderson undergoes surgery in USA after freak accident ruled him out of World Cup
• Argentina players sing Falkland Islands song ahead of potential World Cup clash with England
• Egypt boss accuses Fifa and Argentina of corruption in explosive press conference: 'Rigged!'

“But for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we'll have to go our different ways as we go into that match.”

Sir Keir also joked England only win the World Cup when Labour governments are in power.

Harold Wilson was prime minister back in 1966 – the only England has won the tournament.

Leaders are often reluctant to grant bank holidays because of the hit to the economy, estimated at around £2.4billion.

Sir Keir did not grant a bank holiday when the Lionesses won the Euros last year, but Scotland had a bank holiday on June 15 after the team’s opening game against Haiti.

Yet the financial hit would be offset by higher spending related to watching the match, especially in pubs, which have received a boost of 90 per cent on World Cup match days, compared with usual days.

If it happens, it will be on Sir Keir's final full day in office.

The avid Arsenal fan is due to stand down the following day, with Andy Burnham set to become prime minister on Monday, July 20.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter