King Charles III has approved a one-off bank holiday in Scotland to mark the national team’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, a decision that applies only to Scotland and has provoked frustration elsewhere in the UK. First Minister John Swinney thanked the King and urged employers to help staff celebrate. MPs have tabled a motion to grant England a bank holiday on 20 July 2026 if England win the final on 19 July. England begin their tournament on 17 June against Croatia with a 9pm kick-off.
King Charles Approves Scotland-Only World Cup Bank Holiday — Sparks Outcry Across UK
WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 31: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) King Charles III attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024 in Windsor, England. Following the service The King greeted members of the public, during a walkabout, for the first time since the announcement that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
His Majesty King Charles III has approved a one-off bank holiday in Scotland to mark the national team’s return to the men’s World Cup, a decision that applies only north of the border and has left many people elsewhere in the UK frustrated.
The Scottish Government announced the last-minute public holiday for the day after Scotland’s opening match in the tournament. The nation reached the finals for the first time since 1998 after an emphatic 4-2 win over Denmark in November. Scotland will begin their group-stage campaign against Haiti.
The Scottish team in 1998 (Getty Images)
"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," First Minister John Swinney said. "I am very grateful to His Majesty King Charles for approving the proposal and I encourage employers to work with staff to put in place suitable arrangements that will allow as many of them as possible to join in the celebrations."
The bank holiday decision is limited to Scotland under devolved powers, which is why no equivalent day off has been announced for England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The disparity prompted disappointment in other parts of the UK and prompted MPs to table a parliamentary motion proposing a contingency bank holiday for England if the England team wins the World Cup final.
Parliamentary Motion
MPs have proposed that, should England lift the World Cup on Sunday 19 July 2026, Monday 20 July 2026 be designated as an additional bank holiday to allow national celebrations. Supporters of the motion argue that a victory would be a "rare national moment" deserving of a day for shared civic pride.
Charles has given the green light for a Scottish bank holiday (Getty Images)
Fixture Details And Practicalities
England start their campaign on 17 June against Croatia with a 9pm kick-off — a comparatively late evening slot and more convenient than some fixtures that will take place in the early hours due to the tournament being hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Employers and event organisers have been urged to consider flexible arrangements to allow fans to celebrate responsibly.
While the Scotland-only bank holiday is a short-term celebration of a historic qualification, the debate highlights ongoing tensions around devolved powers and national moments of celebration across the UK.
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