Keir Starmer opens the door to extra bank holiday if England win World Cup

Keir Starmer refused to rule out the possibility of granting an extra bank holiday if England win the World Cup this summer.

The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday night, in what is expected to be their toughest game of the group stage.

England have famously not won a major men's tournament since they hosted the World Cup in 1966, but are one of the favourites to win the trophy this summer.

Thomas Tuchel will aim to become the first foreign manager to win a World Cup, with all previous tournament winners coached by someone of their own nationality.

Speaking at the G7 summit on Wednesday, football fan Starmer asked whether a national bank holiday would be granted if England's men triumphed this summer: “I'm not gonna jinx the World Cup, but, you know, the last time we won the World Cup it was a Labour government.

“And so it's absolutely clear that we only win World Cups under a Labour government. So let's hope that this is the next opportunity. He's got a great squad. This is going to be a good game tonight, probably the hardest in the group games this evening.”

Ahead of the Croatia match, the Prime Minister also stated: "Tonight we can dare to dream again. We have a brilliant Three Lions squad, packed with the talent and experience, to get that second star on the shirt. Like every England fan, I'll be roaring on Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane, and the entire England squad. Come on England!"

The Scottish Government approved its own Bank Holiday on Monday after Scotland defeated Haiti in their first World Cup match in 28 years.

Four years ago, Starmer pressured the former Conservative Government to grant an extra bank holiday when the Lionesses won the European Championship final. He also pushed for a Bank Holiday if they won the 2023 World Cup, but they were beaten by Spain in the final.

However, when England retained the European Championship trophy last summer, Starmer's government did not award a Bank Holiday for their achievement.

"The whole country will be roaring on the Lionesses in the final on Sunday," he said ahead of the Euro 2022 final. "They have already done us proud, but if they win it will be a truly historic achievement - one that should be marked with a proper day of celebration, where clubs can open and promote access for women and girls.”