England's men's team have not reached a World Cup final since 1966. Alastair Grant – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesBy The Athletic StaffJuly 8, 2026 6:43 pm EDT Updated UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested he will grant England a Bank Holiday if the country wins the World Cup this summer.Thomas Tuchel’s side is aiming to end a 60-year wait to win the competition after progressing to the quarter-finals in North America.England face Norway on Saturday, having booked their place in the last eight with a 3-2 win over Mexico last Sunday. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium on July 19.England’s men’s team have not reached a World Cup final since 1966, when they defeated West Germany 4-2 on home soil after extra time. It remains the only time they have reached the final, and the sole occasion they have won a major men’s football tournament.
When asked by reporters on Wednesday about the possibility of a Bank Holiday if England ended that drought, Starmer was quoted in multiple UK media outlets as saying: “I think I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”Starmer is seeing out the final days of his tenure as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, having announced his intention to resign on June 22, less than two years after winning a comprehensive victory in the 2024 general election.The Labour Party’s leadership contest formally starts on July 9, with nominations for Starmer’s successor due to close on July 15. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, is expected to be the only candidate nominated.England observes eight Bank Holidays over the course of the year. In general, extra dates are only afforded to royal occasions, such as the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
