Downing Street responds to potential bank holiday if England win Women's World Cup

Downing Street Rishi Sunak

Downing Street have been coy on bank holiday with Rishi Sunak cheering England on at Women's World Cup

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 15/08/2023

- 13:22

Updated: 15/08/2023

- 13:24

Rishi Sunak will face calls to give the nation a bank holiday if Sarina Wiegman's side go all the way

A spokesman for Downing Street was coy when asked if Rishi Sunak could give the nation a bank holiday should England go all the way at the Women's World Cup.

Sarina Wiegman's side have been impressive at the competition so far, winning all five of their matches.


And should England beat Australia, they'll make the final of a second major tournament in a row - having won the European Championships last summer.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wiegman admitted she was in favour of a bank holiday providing England reign supreme.

England Women's World Cup Australia

England are currently preparing for Australia Women's World Cup clash

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"Yes, I can see all the English here want it!" she said.

"I’m focusing on football and the game tomorrow, let’s do everything to win to win the game tomorrow.”

Yet a spokesman for Downing Street, speaking to the Daily Star, refused to make any guarantees.

"The Prime Minister’s support for the Lionesses is well documented," they're quoted as saying.

"I don’t think there is anything to add at this time."

That's in stark contrast to Australia, with their players currently preparing for the biggest match of their lives.

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has backed the idea of giving people in the nation an extra day off.

"I’ve said that the state and territory leaders should consider it and I know that it’s received a pretty warm reception in most quarters," he told ABC.

"This is something much more than just a sporting event. This is an inspiration to young girls in particular, but also young boys."

And New South Wales leader Chris Minns has vowed to declare a public holiday providing the Matildas secure the trophy on home soil.

As for Sunak, the PM has been vocal in his support for the Lionesses.

He previously wished the team luck and appeared in a Downing Street video prior to the tournament starting.

England's match with Australia will be the third time the two nations have faced off so far this summer.

The Aussies have won both The Ashes and the Netball World Cup so far, meaning Wiegman's side will be out to settle a score on Wednesday morning.

Wiegman, however, has downplayed the rivalry between the two countries and believes it won't be a factor.

“We don’t feel that rivalry that much," stated the 53-year-old.

"There’s a lot of it in rugby on cricket and rugby, and more recently netball. We know it’s going to be competitive.

"Lots of players from Australia also play in the WSL and know each other really well.

"They want to beat us and of course we want to beat them, so that’s the main competitiveness we will get tomorrow."

England last locked horns with Australia back in April.

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England Sarina Wiegman Women's World Cup

England boss Sarina Wiegman is in favour of a bank holiday if Lionesses secure Women's World Cup glory

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And it was the Matildas who ended up winning courtesy of goals in either half from Sam Kerr and Charlotte Grant.

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