Extra Bank Holiday Announced Ahead Of World Cup Opener In Huge Fan Boost

An additional bank holiday has been proposed around the World Cup next summer and it's potentially great news for one nation.

The showpiece, the first 48-team World Cup in history takes place in North America and kicks off on June 11 with Mexico hosting South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 opener at Estadio Azteca.

The group stage draw was conducted by Rio Ferdinand, Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge, with teams split into groups of 12.

42 teams have qualified for the tournament, with six spots up for grabs through the play-offs.

One of those to secure passage to the World Cup was Scotland, who qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1998.

Scotland topped Group C and bagged their ticket with a 4-2 win over Denmark in a memorable night at Hampden Park. Steve Clarke's side have been drawn in Group C alongside five-time champions Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, who have qualified for the second time.

Scotland have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Image: Getty

Their first fixture is against Haiti on Sunday 14 June in Boston, with kick-off set to take place at 2am UK time.

John Swinney, Scotland's first minister, is pushing for Monday 15 June to be a national bank holiday so that the achievement can be celebrated and the whole country can tune in.

"The whole nation will come to a standstill in June," the leader of the Scottish National Party said in his New Year election pitch to voters in Glasgow.

"Even more so in July once we've seen off Brazil and progressed to the knockout stages.

"This is a moment 28 years in the waiting - and I want as many people as possible to share the occasion.

"So, friends, I can confirm today that I have written to the Privy Council, proposing that the Monday - the day after our opening game - be designated a bank holiday in Scotland.

"That will mean that supporters across the country can watch our men's team in their first World Cup match for almost 30 years and share in the chance for Scotland to be on the world stage, to attract business development, to create tourism and hospitality interest within the country, and to make deep and lasting cultural and sporting connections."

Steve Clarke's Scotland begin their campaign against Haiti in Boston. Image: Getty

Swinney was speaking ahead of his campaign for the Holyrood election in May, a month before the World Cup gets underway.

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The vote will decide the Scottish Government and First Minister, with voters getting a constituency and regional list vote.

The King will have the final say and the proposal will get the green light upon his approval.

Will England fans also get a Bank Holiday?

Because Scotland is independent and they have devolved powers over a number of areas - including bank holidays - it would not automatically apply to England.

Bank holidays come under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, with the power over them tied in with the Scotland Act 1998.

According to gov.scot, "a day can be made a bank holiday in Scotland by Royal Proclamation, meaning the First Minister advises the Privy Council on proclamations for Scotland that are then designated by Royal Proclamation by the King".

In England there have been calls for an extra bank holiday whenever the national team has reached a final.

Rishi Sunak's Conservative government opted against grant the UK an extra bank holiday in 2022 when the Lionesses won the Euro final on home soil, with it claimed that the cost was "considerable".

The same decision was taken last summer when Sarina Wiegman's side retained their crown.

Euro 2028 will take place across the United Kingdom and Ireland, with England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland all hosting fixtures.

Asked by SPORTbible at a launch event whether a bank holiday would be added if England were to go all the way in the tournament, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told SPORTbible: "As for the bank holiday, I wouldn't want to tempt fate by saying anything about what would happen."