UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hints that Brits could get extra UK Bank Holiday - but under one condition
Topics: UK News, Holiday, Football, World Cup, Keir Starmer
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
Topics: UK News, Holiday, Football, World Cup, Keir Starmer
An extra bank holiday could be on the cards for Brits this month, but it all depends on one very big result.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested England's men's team could be rewarded with a national day off if they go all the way and lift the World Cup trophy.
The Three Lions booked their place in the quarter-finals after a dramatic win over Mexico on Monday (6 July), and now face Norway this weekend (11 July) for a place in the last four.
Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit on Wednesday (8 July), Starmer was asked whether he would support a bank holiday if England were crowned world champions.
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He replied: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final."
England haven't won the World Cup since 1966, and victory in this year's tournament would mark their first title in 60 years.
With the final set to take place next Sunday (19 July), reports suggest the following Friday (24 July) has been earmarked as the most likely date for a celebratory bank holiday if England bring football home, per PA.
Starmer clearly couldn't resist a bit of friendly football rivalry while attending the summit in Ankara, where he met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre ahead of Saturday's showdown.
He said: "I'm a good friend of his. 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.
"But for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we'll have to go our different ways as we go into that match."
The Prime Minister also said he had been flooded with requests to intervene after Jarell Quansah was sent off against Mexico, following reports that US President Donald Trump persuaded FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun's ban ahead of America's clash with Belgium.
"I can't tell you how many messages I've had to rescind the red card that we received in the early hours of Monday," Starmer said.
"I hasten to add, I haven't attempted to do that."
Meanwhile, thousands of England supporters are expected to head to Miami for the quarter-final, with many still buzzing after Monday night's unforgettable victory.
France will be taking on Morocco later today (9 July) while Spain will play against Belgium on Friday (10 July).
The day after England's match, Argentina will play against Switzerland on Sunday (12 July).