King approves World Cup day off in Scotland - but will your school be closed?

If you're in school in Scotland this morning, you could be one step closer to an extra day off this year.

A special one-off bank holiday has been announced by the King to take place in Scotland on Monday 15 June 2026, marking the national men's football team playing in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

A bank holiday is a day when many schools, shops, and workplaces are closed.

However, a day off school is still not guaranteed.

Local councils - who are responsible for school holidays - need to make the final decision.

This year's World Cup is being played across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Scotland's first match in Boston, will see the team play Haiti at 2am UK time, on Sunday 14 June.

The new holiday was officially announced after a royal proclamation, approved by the King. A royal proclamation is a formal announcement used for important decisions.

The proclamation was issued from Buckingham Palace and the King said he had approved the holiday: "to mark the achievement of Scotland's men's football team competing at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years".

Continuing, the proclamation said: "We consider it desirable that Monday, the fifteenth day of June in the year 2026 should be a bank holiday in Scotland."

Adding that we "hereby appoint Monday, the fifteenth day of June in the year 2026 to be a bank holiday in Scotland."

The idea of a bank holiday was first suggested by Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney. He said the day off would give everyone a chance to celebrate together, whether or not the team wins their match.

He said: "This year, we want to make the most of this huge opportunity for Scotland and ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to celebrate the team's success."

He added: "That is why I am taking steps to ensure the Monday after our opening game should be a national bank holiday, so that – no matter the outcome of the match – we can all come together to share the occasion."

Decisions about bank holidays in Scotland are devolved, which means they are handled in Scotland, instead of the UK Parliament. The Scottish Government can suggest a new holiday, but it only becomes official after the King gives final approval.

But it's still councils who hold the final decision on schools and critics say it's still unclear who will get the day off.

Murdo Fraser, Conservative party MSP, said Mr Swinney "was busy chasing easy headlines rather than thinking through the implications" of the holiday.

He added: "It begs the question as to who will actually be enjoying an extra bank holiday."

In January, Newsround contacted the Scottish government about the bank holiday - in response, they urged local councils to "be as flexible as possible when it comes to days off for children wanting to watch".

If you live outside of Scotland, unfortunately as it stands, there are no plans for an extra day off during the World Cup.