SYDNEY, June 14, 2023 — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese exclusively told The Daily Aus he thinks there will be a “race” to declare a public holiday by state and territory leaders if the Matildas clinch victory at the upcoming 2023 FIFA World Cup.
Prime Minister Albanese’s comments come 32 days out from the start of the tournament, where the Matildas are tipped as one of the favourites.
Speaking with The Daily Aus, Prime Minister Albanese said: “It’s up to each state and territory to designate public holidays. But rest assured – should the Matildas win the World Cup on home soil, I reckon there will be a race by Premiers to declare a public holiday”.
It is the first time the PM has commented on the prospect of a public holiday if the Matildas win. It comes after he all but promised a public holiday if the Socceroos won the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. At the time, Albanese told the parliament, “I do note, the calls are out across Australia for a public holiday to be declared, and I say today, it was a bit late at 4 am to call a public holiday. But if we win the World Cup, that may be a different story, so we will see how that goes. It might be a bit hard to resist.”
The Socceroos lost to Argentina, the eventual winners, in the Round of 16.
The Matildas play their first game against the Republic of Ireland on 20 July.
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