LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested England could receive an additional bank holiday if the national team wins the FIFA World Cup, while stopping short of making a commitment before the tournament reaches its conclusion, according to ESPN.
Speaking ahead of England’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway, Starmer praised England’s victory over Mexico as “one of the best England performances I’ve ever seen,” ESPN reported.
Asked whether he would support a national holiday if England captures its first World Cup title in 60 years, Starmer declined to commit.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” Starmer said, according to ESPN.
England faces Norway on Saturday in the quarterfinals, with a victory moving the team one step closer to ending a six-decade World Cup championship drought.
According to ESPN, if England wins the tournament, which concludes Sunday, July 19, the following Friday has been discussed as the most likely date for a celebratory bank holiday.
‘We’ll Have to Go Our Different Ways’
While attending a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Starmer joked with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre ahead of the two countries’ World Cup matchup.
“I’m a good friend of his. The Norway-UK relationship is as strong as it’s ever been and he’s a key individual in the coalitions that we’ve been building,” Starmer said, according to ESPN. “But for 90 minutes on Saturday evening, we’ll have to go our different ways as we go into that match.”
Starmer also joked about calls for him to intervene after England defender Jarell Quansah received a red card during the victory over Mexico.
According to ESPN, the comments followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded FIFA to suspend a disciplinary ban against U.S. player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium.
“I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve had to rescind the red card that we received in the early hours of Monday,” Starmer said, according to ESPN. “I hasten to add, I haven’t attempted to do that.”
