Mexico vs England: Will there be a bank holiday to allow fans to watch Three Lions’ World Cup last-16 tie? | Football News

England are through to the last-16 of the 2026 World Cup – but their clash against Mexico will not kick-off until 1am UK time.

That poses a unique challenge for the nation, with schools and workplaces likely to be affected, and there is no guidance yet on whether pubs will be permitted to remain open to show the match or if there will be a bank holiday as a result.

Following the dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo in the previous round, Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel called for families to put football before school on Monday.

“Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on,” he said. “There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.

“There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”

However, it does not look like the government is currently planning a bank holiday. On Thursday, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said watching the match did not necessarily mean children need to miss school.

“It’s a late game, but children can be in school the next day,” she told the Press Association.

Asked if she believed children can both watch the game and still make it into school, she said: “I think they can, yes, but it’s for parents to decide how they manage this, and it depends on the age of your children, how they feel. But this is about decisions for individual families.”

A government spokesperson add they are ‘backing the England team all the way’, but said that ‘the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established’ – offering little hope of an additional day off.

No major World Cup nation appears to have issued national guidance encouraging children to miss school after late-night matches at the 2026 tournament. Responses have largely been left to families, individual schools and local authorities.

What are the current rules for pubs and bars?

Earlier this year, licensing laws were relaxed by the government to accommodate for late kick-offs, although the licenses themselves are granted by local councils.

Pubs were permitted to stay open until 1am for knockout games involving England and Scotland that kicked off between 5pm and 9pm or 2am for kick-offs between 9pm and 10pm.

However, while this did not cover a 1am kick-off, businesses can apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to change their opening times.

It costs £21 and the usual rules say they need to be applied for five working days in advance and can be done online. However, there are reports that some local authorities won’t turn around a TEN request inside five working days – with two weekend days before the match too – although many pubs and bars applied well in advance having worked out England’s potential routes.

While there has been no specific guidance with regards to games kicking off any later, on Thursday, communities secretary Steve Reed appealed to local councils to extend opening hours for the 1am kick-off.

In a post on X, he said there “are still some councils saying no to the pubs. Please say yes, do everything you can to get those doors and get fans inside.”

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that the government has written to councils requesting they extend pubs’ opening hours, but pointed out it is up to local councils to make the decision.

Has there ever been a bank holiday for football reasons?

The idea has been floated many times in years gone by, there has not been a special bank holiday granted before.

But Scotland had one, didn’t they?

A bank holiday was proposed by first minister John Swinney ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup match in 28 years, and later approved and given Royal Proclamation by King Charles III.

Steve Clarke’s side started their participation in the tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, which kicked off at 2am UK time on Sunday June 14.

Pubs were permitted to stay open until 4am and there was a bank holiday the following day.

Senior MP: There shouldn’t be a bank holiday, just common sense used

A senior member of the Conservative Party has said head teachers and employers should use “common sense” when addressing attendance on Monday.

Asked if the UK should be given a bank holiday on Monday for those staying up to watch the game, shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith told Sky News: “I’ll be watching at 1am.

“I think on a common sense basis, Monday may not be the world’s most productive day. But I don’t think we should actually have a bank holiday.”

He adds that people should “use common sense” on Monday itself.

“Teachers, head teachers, can decide how heavy or light the school curriculum is,” Griffith explains. “Maybe a few people slip off work early on Monday evening.

“I’m told there are parts of the United Kingdom that don’t entirely share the same enthusiasm for England’s performance as others. But I’ll be watching and crossing my fingers.”

But what about if England reach the final?

That eventuality has been planned for. In January, a motion was published for a bank holiday on Monday July 20 – but that could only come into effect if Thomas Tuchel’s side win the tournament.

The motion reads: “This house notes that the final of the 2026 World Cup will be played on Sunday July 19 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 July 19 2026, to designate Monday July 20 2026 as an additional bank holiday.”

Over to you, England…