Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to attend the World Cup final in the United States if England beat Argentina on Wednesday. The Labor Government is also expected to announce plans for a conditional bank holiday on Friday, July 24, if the Three Lions make history and win this summer’s World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are on the brink of making history and becoming only the second senior English team to reach the Men’s World Cup final, following the Three Lions’ historic victory on home soil in 1966. However, standing in their way are current champions Argentina and talismanic Lionel Messi, who has already scored eight goals in this tournament.
The Three Lions finished Group L in first place and had to overcome a difficult route in the finals. They came from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last 32, and in the last 16 they had a thrilling 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the Aztecs.
Tuchel’s side defeated Norway in extra time in the quarter-finals and were forced to come from behind again to decide to face Messi. It will be Messi’s first official match against Argentina since the 2002 World Cup, and the first time in his illustrious career that he will face the Three Lions.
The paper reported that Prime Minister Starmer is making last-minute plans to head to the high-profile final in New York if England beat their South American rivals on Wednesday. His trip comes hours before he formally submits his resignation to the King, having announced his intention to resign as Labor leader last month.
Compressed schedules are possible thanks to time differences. Kick-off will take place at 3pm local time (8pm BST), with the final whistle expected to sound by 11pm UK time.
From there, Starmer will head to Newark Liberty Airport and take a seven-hour overnight flight back to London. After landing, he is expected to give a farewell speech on the steps of Downing Street before heading to Buckingham Palace to advise Andy Burnham on forming the next government.
And if England beat Argentina this week, the government will reportedly announce interim holiday proposals on Friday, July 24, but this will only be implemented if England claim World Cup glory. Scheduling on that day gives companies enough time to prepare and is likely to coincide with the team’s victory parade.
Mr Starmer was previously asked at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit earlier this month whether he would give England a bank holiday if they claimed the trophy.
He said: “I don’t want to create a jinx on the issue of bank holidays, but I would like to hear it again if we reach the final.”
The Prime Minister recently intervened to prevent the kick-off time of England’s World Cup match against Mexico from being changed over concerns it would give the host nation an unfair advantage. They have also taken steps to allow pubs to stay open until 5am to allow supporters to watch matches.
