Keir Starmer hints at an extra day off if England wins the World Cup
Keir Starmer didn’t say no to the idea of an extra bank holiday if England wins the World Cup this summer.
The Three Lions kick off their World Cup journey against Croatia on Wednesday night, which is expected to be their toughest group game.
England hasn’t won a major men’s tournament since they hosted the World Cup in 1966, but they’re one of the top favorites to take the trophy this time.
Thomas Tuchel hopes to be the first foreign coach to win a World Cup, as all winners so far have been led by managers from their own countries.
At the G7 summit on Wednesday, Starmer, a football fan, was asked if a bank holiday would be given if England won. He said: “I don’t want to jinx it, but the last time we won the World Cup, it was under a Labour government. So maybe we only win under Labour! Let’s hope this is the next chance. They’ve got a great squad, and tonight’s going to be a tough game, probably the hardest in the group.”
Before the Croatia match, the Prime Minister also said: “Tonight, we can dream again. We have a brilliant Three Lions team, full of talent and experience, ready to get that second star on the shirt. Like every England fan, I’m cheering on Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane, and the whole squad. Come on England!”
Scotland’s Government already approved a bank holiday after their team beat Haiti in their first World Cup match in 28 years.
Four years ago, Starmer pushed the previous Conservative Government for an extra bank holiday when the Lionesses won the European Championship. He also wanted one if they won the 2023 World Cup, but they lost to Spain in the final.
However, when England’s women kept the European Championship title last summer, Starmer’s own government didn’t give a bank holiday.
Before the Euro 2022 final, he said: “The whole country will be cheering on the Lionesses on Sunday. They’ve already made us proud, but if they win, it would be a historic moment – one that deserves a special day of celebration, where clubs can open and encourage more women and girls to get involved.”