Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has said that he would support a public holiday if the Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas, win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Australia and New Zealand are the co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA world Cup and the Maltildas have reached the semi-final of the competition.
New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, has said he would support the idea, telling 2GB that a Women’s World Cup win would be life-changing for the state’s history.
“If the Matildas win the semi-final and then win the World Cup final, then yes we will pursue a public holiday in NSW, not just to celebrate the victory but also to have a massive civic celebration and allow the Matildas to celebrate with the people of Sydney what will be an amazing, like, life-changing and unbelievable event in the state’s history,” he said.
The Matildas are set to play against England in the semi-final on Wednesday, before the final on Sunday. Minns, who believes a public holiday could be an economic win for the state, said the day off would not occur on the Monday immediately after the game, but would happen within a week of the win – should it happen.