England will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening with fans dreaming of a bank holiday after the tournament in North America concludes this weekend
Sir Keir Starmer will reportedly make his final trip as Prime Minister to the US if England reach Sunday’s World Cup final. The government will also announce plans for a conditional bank holiday on Friday, July 24, granted only in the event of a Three Lions victory in North America this summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are just 90 minutes away from becoming only the second senior England team to reach a men’s World Cup final after the Three Lions’ famous 1966 victory on home soil. Standing in their way are holders Argentina, powered by footballing great Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals at this year’s tournament so far.
Tuchel’s men have endured a testing route to the semi-finals after comfortably finishing top of Group L. England came from behind to beat DR Congo in the last 32, battled to a thrilling 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico, before edging past Norway in extra time in the last eight.
The England team will now be preparing for another huge test as they look forward to a first competitive meeting with Argentina since the 2002 World Cup. The Times reports that British PM Starmer will attend the showpiece final in New York if England beat their South American opponents on Wednesday.
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His trip will be just hours before tendering his resignation to the King after announcing last month he would be stepping down as leader of the Labour Party. The tight timeline is logistically feasible due to the time difference. With the final kicking off at 3pm local time (8pm BST), the match should conclude by 11pm UK time.
From there, Starmer will head to Newark Liberty Airport for a seven-hour overnight flight back to London. Upon arrival, he will deliver his final address on the steps of Downing Street before visiting Buckingham Palace to recommend that Andy Burnham form the next government.
And if England beat Argentina this week, the government will reportedly announce plans for a conditional bank holiday on Friday, July 24, granted only in the event of a World Cup victory. Holding it on that date would give businesses time to prepare and likely coincide with the team’s victory parade.
Starmer was previously asked earlier this month at the Nato summit if he would grant a bank holiday if England lift the trophy.
He said: “On the question of a bank holiday, I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
The PM recently intervened to block attempts to change the kick-off time for England’s World Cup game against Mexico, amid fears it would give the hosts an unfair advantage. He also stepped in to let pubs stay open until 5am so fans could watch the game.