UK Government rules out Bank Holiday as England face Mexico at 1am in World Cup last 16

The UK Government has ruled out granting an extra Bank Holiday on Monday, July 6, as England prepare to face co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — with kick-off set for 1am UK time.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed the decision, stating that “the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established,” while adding that the Government would be “backing the England team all the way.” As a concession to fans, the Government has written to local councils urging them to consider special applications for extended licensing hours to screen the match.

England’s place in the last 16 was secured by Harry Kane’s brace against DR Congo, sending Thomas Tuchel’s side through to a heavyweight tie against the North American co-hosts.

The Bank Holiday question has been circling Westminster for weeks. At the G7 summit in France, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was pressed on whether he would declare a new Bank Holiday if England win the tournament — a final that would fall on Sunday, June 19, making the following Monday a natural candidate. Starmer declined to commit either way, telling reporters: “I’m not going to 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.”

Scotland has already been granted an additional Bank Holiday — Monday, June 15 — by the Scottish Government to mark the national team’s first World Cup appearance in decades.

The Bank Holiday debate has precedent beyond football. No additional day off was awarded in 2022 when England’s women won the European Championship, despite Starmer, then leader of the opposition, having publicly advocated for one should the Lionesses lift the trophy.

England’s only World Cup triumph remains the 1966 victory over West Germany at Wembley — also, as Starmer was quick to note, under a Labour administration.