England vs Mexico: Government rules out Bank Holiday despite World Cup last-16 clash

The UK Government has ruled out granting an extra bank holiday ahead of England’s World Cup last-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico, which kicks off at 1am UK time on Monday morning.

Despite the late-night scheduling, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed that children are expected to attend school as normal, while Communities Secretary Steve Reed urged local councils to extend pub opening hours to allow fans to watch the match. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the Government would be “backing the England team all the way” but noted that “the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established.”

England arrive at the last-16 stage on the back of Harry Kane’s two-goal rescue act against DR Congo, with Thomas Tuchel’s side now facing a significant test against a Mexico team playing on home soil.

The question of a bank holiday was put directly to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the G7 summit in France, where he was asked whether he would declare one if England win the tournament. Starmer stopped short of either committing to or dismissing the idea. “I’m not going to jinx the World Cup,” he said. “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.”

The contrast with Scotland is notable. The Scottish Government has already announced an additional bank holiday on Monday, 15 June, to mark the Scottish national team’s World Cup debut for the first time in decades.

The bank holiday debate has a recent precedent in women’s football. No additional day off was granted when England’s Lionesses won Euro 2022, and the Labour government also declined to declare one when the Lionesses reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final — a match they lost 1-0 to Spain. Starmer, then leader of the opposition, had publicly backed a bank holiday at the time, posting on X: “There should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.” England’s women did go on to win Euro 2025, though no bank holiday followed that victory either.

For now, fans hoping for an official day of rest after Monday’s early-hours kick-off will have to make their own arrangements.