FIFA World Cup 2023: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backs public holiday if Matildas win, Sam Kerr,

Australians have even more reason to get behind the Matildas after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a stunning remark on Thursday.

In the hours before the Matildas took to Stadium Australia for their World Cup opener, Albanese put even more on the line.

With home fans piling in to catch a glimpse of the yellow and gold Matildas, Albanese suggested he would push for a public holiday to be declared under one provision.

The Matildas have to be the last team standing and reign supreme at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“The states are in charge of public holidays … but I tell you what, it will be a time where we should celebrate as a nation if we win the World Cup,” he told the ABC.

“That’ll certainly be my view, so I’ll put that very strongly.”

Albanese wished them good luck and said he will be watching the match.

It follows remarks the PM made last month where he openly stated a public holiday should be installed if the Matildas win the World Cup.

Without rejecting the idea, he passed the ball to state and territory leaders, saying it was up to them to designate public holidays.

The Matildas’ official Twitter account also put some pressure on state premiers to celebrate such a significant sporting event.

“We think you’re onto something [Prime Minister],” it tweeted.

“How about calling a public holiday as a celebration of the [World Cup] bringing the most significant sporting event to Australia since Sydney 2000?”

news.com.au readers had a mixed response on social media to the Prime Minister’s suggestion, but there was obvious excitement to see the Matildas in action.

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“I have World Cup month booked out to watch the Matilda’s soar! It’s going to be epic,” one user wrote. “Public holidays all round!”

“It would be epic to see them just make the finals, no doubt about that. To win? Well let’s see how we go first,” another wrote.

“I’m no soccer fan, but I’ll be watching Matildas for sure!”

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