Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe World Cup 2026 commences this week, with Scotland set to play in their first tournament since 1998, and a new precedent has been set.Ahead of England and Scotland's first tournament fixtures, King Charles has granted fans of the latter a one-off Bank Holiday to allow the Tartan Army to watch a late-night World Cup game.By setting this precedent, there are now clear implications regarding Englands World Cup tournament, but how?England could follow in Scotlands Bank Holiday footstepsScotlands first fixture of the 48-team tournament in North America will be played against Haiti on June 14.The match will be held at the Gillette Stadium, near Boston, with a local kick-off time of 9PM 2AM for the Scottish viewers watching from home. You may like England World Cup fixture schedule is the second-toughest here's the science that proves it When is England's World Cup squad announced? Scotland's World Cup 2026 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and group stage schedule The kick-off time for Scotlands first World Cup match since 1998, with their last tournament ending in group stage despair, caused King Charles to grant a one-off Bank Holiday for followers braced to burn the midnight oil.First Minister John Swinney suggested the idea to give Scotland fans ample time to both support their national team and recover effectively to return to work.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Provided employers abide, the Tartan Army will now be able to stay up late without repercussions for their Haiti clash, but England fans will also face something similar.Three Lions followers have never been granted a Bank Holiday for World Cup viewing, but, if England are to prevail in Group Ls first position, they will face a 1AM kick-off time in the UK for their first knock-out clash in Mexico City.And with King Charles setting a new precedent, it remains more possible than ever that England fans will receive a previously unheard of World Cup Bank Holiday.King Charles decision has faced mild backlash for its seemingly over-the-top nature Scotland fans will have a late Saturday evening into Sunday morning, then receive the Monday off from work.That backlash will almost certainly disappear should England fans be given identical treatment, making another Bank Holiday decision likely in the event of Three Lions success.Englands first fixture of the group stage will be played against Croatia on June 17 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a kick-off time of 9PM BST.TOPICSWorld Cup 2026Kedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
