King Charles has granted Scotland an additional bank holiday on Monday, 15 June 2026, commemorating the national football team’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup.
The announcement follows a formal request from First Minister John Swinney, who sought official recognition for the day following Scotland’s opening fixture in the tournament.
Palace officials confirmed the special designation on Wednesday, marking what will be Scotland’s first appearance at football’s premier international competition since 1998.
The 28-year absence from the World Cup stage has made this qualification a particularly significant moment for Scottish football supporters across the nation.
King Charles has granted Scotland an additional bank holiday on Monday, 15 June 2026, commemorating the national football team’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup.
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Steve Clarke’s side will face Haiti in their tournament opener on Sunday, 14 June, with the match scheduled for a 2am kick-off UK time.
The official palace statement invoked the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, declaring: “To mark the achievement of Scotland’s men’s football team competing at the Fifa World Cup for the first time in 28 years, we consider it desirable that Monday, the fifteenth day of June in the year 2026, should be a bank holiday in Scotland.”
Mr Swinney welcomed the decision on X, writing: “It’s now official. Scotland will have an extra bank holiday on Monday 15 June to mark our return to the World Cup.”
Steve Clarke’s Scotland have landed a demanding group at the 2026 World Cup.
The announcement follows a formal request from First Minister John Swinney, who sought official recognition for the day following Scotland’s opening fixture in the tournament.
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GETTY
The Tartan Army will compete in Group C against five-time winners Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, and Haiti.
Scotland were placed in Pot 3 after securing qualification for their first World Cup since 1998, ending a 28-year wait to return to football’s biggest stage.
Morocco proved to be the most challenging opponent from Pot 2, having reached the last four at the Qatar tournament.
Brazil, meanwhile, represent the ultimate test as the most successful nation in World Cup history.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland have landed a demanding group at the 2026 World Cup.
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GETTY
The group concludes with a showdown against Brazil in Miami on 24 June.
This encounter will mark the fifth occasion Scotland have faced the South American giants at a World Cup.
The two nations previously met at the 1974, 1982, 1990 and 1998 tournaments.
Their most recent clash came in the opening match of France 98, which also marked Scotland’s last appearance at the finals before this summer’s return.
The 2026 tournament has been expanded from 32 to 48 nations, with 12 groups of four teams competing across North America.
A total of 104 matches will be played between June 11 and July 19 at 16 venues throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Seventy-eight fixtures will take place at 11 NFL stadiums, including every match from the quarter-finals onwards. Mexico and Canada will each host 13 games.
Under the new format, group winners, runners-up and eight best third-placed sides progress to a round of 32.