His Majesty King Charles III has given the go ahead for a last-minute bank holiday this Monday, on the basis of celebrating the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday. However, millions of people aren't happy, as this special day off only applies to people in Scotland.
The Scottish government has decided to award the public with a bank holiday the day after their national team's first appearance in the competition. Their presence in the World Cup 2026 is a huge deal as it is the first time the men's team has qualified since 1998. The Scottish side took victory over Denmark with a 4-2 win back in November, and now they are delighted to find themselves in the group stage, playing their first game against Haiti.
© Getty ImagesFirst Minister John Swinney has said he's very "grateful" for the monarch for backing the decision. He said: “Scotland will be on the world stage this summer and I want as many people as possible to be able to celebrate that moment. Football means a great deal to many people in this country and it has been almost three decades since our men’s national team played at the World Cup finals tournament.
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“We want to make the most of Scotland’s participation in this global sporting event by ensuring people have the opportunity to come together and celebrate – no matter the outcome of the match.
“I am very grateful to His Majesty King Charles for approving the proposal and I encourage employers around the country to work with staff to put in place suitable arrangements that will allow as many of them as possible to join in the celebrations.”
Will England get a bank holiday for the World Cup?
Despite the bank holiday being approved for North of the border, England is yet to have a day off sanctioned and no doubt many English people are unhappy about this, but there is hope! The UK parliament has published a motion to permit a bank holiday if England secures a win in the final and lifts the World Cup trophy.
© Getty ImagesIt reads: "That this House notes that the final of the 2026 World Cup will be played on Sunday 19 July 2026; recognises that a World Cup victory by England would be a rare national moment likely to bring together families, neighbours and communities across the country, including through local celebrations in town centres, community venues and grassroots sports clubs; believes that enabling people to celebrate together would strengthen community spirit and provide an opportunity for shared civic pride; and calls on the Government, in the event of England winning the World Cup on 19 July 2026, to designate Monday 20 July 2026 as an additional bank holiday."
The England team will play their first game on 17 June against Croatia. The kick-off will be 9pm, which is a reasonable hour compared to some of the 2am kick-off times, due to the competition being hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
