Scotland Proposes Bank Holiday After 2026 World Cup Opener

Scotland’s government has announced a proposal to designate Monday 15 June 2026 as a national bank holiday, coinciding with the country’s participation in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades.

The suggested holiday is intended to take place the day after Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, which is scheduled for Sunday 14 June 2026 at 2 am UK time. This marks a notable occasion for Scottish football, as the national team returns to the men’s World Cup after a long absence.

First Minister John Swinney put forward the proposal for the bank holiday, following Scotland’s qualification for the tournament. The process for creating a bank holiday in Scotland involves advice from the First Minister to the Privy Council, with the final appointment made by Royal Proclamation.

Scotland secured its place in the 2026 World Cup by winning 4–2 against Denmark on 18 November 2025. The announcement of the proposed holiday follows this achievement and is linked to the timing of the team’s opening game in the tournament.

What the numbers show

• Scotland’s last men’s World Cup appearance was in 1998
• The opening match against Haiti is set for 14 June 2026 at 2 am UK time
• Scotland qualified by defeating Denmark 4–2 on 18 November 2025

The Scottish Government stated that the proposed bank holiday would be observed on 15 June 2026, immediately following the national team’s first match in the group stage. This step is part of the formal process required for establishing new public holidays in the country.

Bank holidays in Scotland are not automatically set by the government alone. According to official procedures, the First Minister must advise the Privy Council, which then issues a Royal Proclamation to formalise the date as a public holiday.

Scotland’s return to the men’s FIFA World Cup has generated official recognition through this proposal. The government’s announcement links the holiday directly to the timing of the team’s scheduled match in the international tournament.

The proposal remains subject to the formal process required for bank holiday designation. The Scottish Government has outlined the necessary steps, which include advice to the Privy Council and issuance of a Royal Proclamation to confirm the holiday.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.