A bank holiday for a World Cup win? Starmer is poised to grant a day off if the Three Lions bring it home

By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 21:59, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 22:02, 8 July 2026 Keir Starmer is poised to order a bank holiday if England win the World Cup. Government sources said Sir Keir is 'minded to' recommend a public holiday if Harry Kane and his teammates succeed in bringing home the coveted trophy for the first time in 60 years. The football-mad Prime Minister hinted at the move yesterday. Asked about a possible bank holiday, he told reporters at the Nato summit in Ankara: 'Let's see what happens if we get there, but on the question of a bank holiday, I think I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.' Ministers routinely reject calls for additional bank holidays because of the estimated £2.4 billion cost in lost economic activity. Recent exceptions include a day granted to mark the 70th anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth's reign in 2022. Scotland has already enjoyed an extra bank holiday despite crashing out in the group stages. But ministers resisted granting one in England to allow fans to recover from this week's Round of 16 thriller against Mexico, which finished at 4am. The idea was also rejected when England's women won the Euros in 2022. Sir Keir told reporters at the Nato summit in Ankara: 'Let's see what happens if we get there, but on the question of a bank holiday, I think I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final' (pictured in Ankara with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store) Harry Kane and the Three Lions celebrate their win against Mexico Starmer - celebrating an England goal in the 2022 World Cup  However, government sources said the PM believes winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966 should be marked by a day of national celebrations. Sir Keir is also planning to attend the final in New Jersey if England make it through, in what would be his final trip as Prime Minister before he heads to Buckingham Palace the next day to resign. Officials were tight-lipped last night about exactly when a bank holiday might be held. England would first have to beat Norway on Saturday night and then triumph in a potential semi-final clash against Argentina to reach the final on 19 July. Whitehall officials said it would be impossible to schedule a bank holiday the following day if it is contingent on the result of a match that might not finish until after 10pm. Government sources refused to rule out ordering a day off if England simply qualify for the final, making the 20th a possibility, although it would complicate plans for Sir Keir to hand over power to his likely successor Andy Burnham that day. Alternatively, a bank holiday could be timed to coincide with a parade for the returning team. Downing Street criticised Donald Trump this week for intervening to overturn the red card handed to US striker Folarin Balogun. Sir Keir said he had received countless requests to intervene on behalf of England defender Jarell Quansah who was sent off in the last match. He added: 'I hasten to add, I haven't attempted to do that, but look, I don't want to jinx all this. 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, across the team as well.' The PM briefly took time out from the Nato summit on Monday to discuss England's World Cup quarter final with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store. In a light-hearted interlude in the grounds of the British Embassy, the two leaders donned football shirts and bantered about the crunch match. Yesterday, he said: 'I'm good friends of his. The Norway-UK relationship is as strong as it's ever been... but for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we'll have to go our different ways as we go into that match.'