Will England get a Bank Holiday if team wins the World Cup? Potential date revealed ahead of Argentina semi-final | OneFootball

The government is considering an extra bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, with the final set to take place next Sunday.

It is understood that Friday 24 July has been earmarked for a celebratory bank holiday if England wins the tournament, 60 years after its first and only victory in the competition.

England took a stride closer to the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Norway after extra time on Saturday night, saved again by a brace from the effervescent Jude Bellingham.

The prime minister was reticent to confirm a bank holiday when asked about the potential celebration at the Nato summit in Ankara last week, but he hinted it was on the cards.

Sir Keir Starmer told reporters on Wednesday: “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”

open image in gallery

Inevitable: England’s Number 10 Jude Bellingham celebrates his second goal at 93” (Reuters)

The comments came a week after Andy Burnham, tipped to replace Sir Keir as prime minister, called speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup “a bit premature”.

Following England’s strained win against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 1 July, he told Andrew Marr on LBC: “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."

Kemi Badenoch said on Monday she would probably not back a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, arguing the “private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off”.

“Sadly, we all know what would happen with a bank holiday – the private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off, and you’d all have to pay for it,” she said.

open image in gallery

England players line arms as the England fans sing and celebrate following victory on Saturday (PA)

This isn’t the first time a bank holiday has been suggested as a celebration for an English football victory as fans called for one after the Lionesses won the Euros last year. The women’s team were instead celebrated with an open-top bus parade through central London and a visit to Downing Street.

England will still have to dispatch Argentina on Wednesday, shown from 8pm BST, to meet the winner of Spain v France in the final on 19 July. France is the narrow favourite to win over Spain on Tuesday night.

The Three Lions edged closer to the final following a nail-biting triumph over Norway last night.

Andreas Schjelderup put one past Jordan Pickford to go one up in the 36th minute, only for Jude Bellingham to equalise at 45+2” with an assist from Anthony Gordon.

A second Norwegian goal was ruled out at 57” after a VAR review. Nine minutes of stoppage time were not enough to find a winner, pushing the teams into extra time.

Jude Bellingham wasted no time in scoring again, leaving England with nearly half an hour to hold off Norway as they replaced star striker Erling Haaland with Crystal Palace’s Jørgen Strand Larsen.

open image in gallery

Erling Haaland #9 of Norway and John Stones #5 of England on Saturday (Getty)

England fans said the result was all that mattered after describing the Three Lions’ performance against Norway as “leggy”.

Russell Osborne, 34, from Birmingham, said: “It was very leggy from the boys, but we got it done.

“As long as we sent those boys home, that’s all that matters.”

Jamie Smith, 31, also from Birmingham, said: “Shaky first half but dug deep. Jude saved us again.”

Friends Scott Bickerton and Ashley Wager said they were confident England would go all the way in the World Cup.

open image in gallery

England fans outside Miami Stadium after the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final (PA)

Mr Bickerton said: “We’re going to win it, aren’t we? This is the year, we’re going to win it. I’m confident.”

Asked what makes him confident, Mr Bickerton said: “Bellingham. Birmingham City, world class.”

Ashley Wager added: “It’s definitely coming home. Thomas Tuchel, the big German in charge.

“We’ve got big Dan Burn at the back, last 10 minutes again, throwing everything at it.

“Come on England, it’s coming home.”