The countdown to potential chaos on the streets has begun! If England can pull off a historic win against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, the nation will be awash with jubilation – and possibly even an extra day off work. Government insiders have revealed that Friday 24 July is being considered as a bank holiday to commemorate our boys' incredible journey.
The Three Lions are just one match away from the final after a heart-stopping 2-1 win over Norway on Saturday night, courtesy of Jude Bellingham's stunning brace. The talented teenager proved his mettle with two crucial goals – one in first-half stoppage time to level the score and another in extra time to send England into raptures.
Next up for Gareth Southgate's team is a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against Argentina, followed by a potential final against either Spain or France. The nation will be on tenterhooks as we await the outcome – but one thing's certain: if England reaches the final, the government will be under pressure to give the people what they want.
The Prime Minister remained tight-lipped when quizzed about the bank holiday idea at the Nato summit in Ankara, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is keeping his powder dry – reserving judgement until the semi-final result is known. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch has sounded a warning note, arguing that a bank holiday would disproportionately affect businesses.
This isn't the first time we've seen calls for a special celebration day after an English football triumph – remember how the Lionesses were hailed with an open-top bus parade and Downing Street visit after their Euro 2022 glory? The current focus is firmly on Wednesday's crunch match, with fans across the nation holding their breath in anticipation of an unforgettable night.
That Norway game was a real nail-biter – Andreas Schjelderup put the Scandinavians ahead in the 36th minute, only for Bellingham to level things up just before half-time. The drama continued when a Norwegian goal was disallowed by VAR in the second half, sending us into extra time where Bellingham sealed England's place in the semi-finals. Despite the gruelling performance, supporters remain convinced that 'it's coming home' this year – and with good reason!