UK sets conditional bank holiday for July 24 if England win

The British government has confirmed plans for a conditional extra bank holiday on Friday, July 24, should England win the FIFA World Cup. The announcement comes as the national team prepares for a semifinal match against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he will formally announce the holiday if England triumphs in the tournament's final, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey. The proposed date, five days after the final, is intended to give businesses time to prepare and would likely coincide with a victory parade in London. Starmer, who is scheduled to resign as Prime Minister on Monday, July 20, has said he would travel to the United States to attend the final if England advances.

England's path to its first World Cup final since 1966 requires a victory over defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi. A win would set up a final against either Spain, the reigning European champion, or tournament favorites France. The government's planning for a celebratory holiday follows Starmer's comments at a recent NATO summit, where he stated he did not want to "jinx" the team's chances but told reporters to "ask me...