Keralam Declares Holiday for Schools to Celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Holiday Announcement for Students
Keralam has officially announced July 20 as a holiday for educational institutions, enabling students to stay awake and enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2026 final featuring Argentina and Spain, which is set to begin after midnight Indian time. This decision was made by the General Education Department in response to requests from enthusiastic football fans among the student body. The announcement was issued by the Keralam Education Minister's office.
Chief Minister's Support
Chief Minister VD Satheesan shared on social media, "As Keralam embraces the excitement of the Argentina-Spain finale, we want our young fans to enjoy the thrilling match without the stress of school the next day. Therefore, the government has declared a holiday for all educational institutions tomorrow. Cheer loudly and enjoy the game!"
Minister's Remarks
N Shamshudeen, the State's Minister for General Education, also took to social media, expressing, "Are you happy now, children? Since the World Cup final is scheduled for midnight, we have declared a holiday for schools under the public education department tomorrow, considering the requests from sports-loving students."
Football Fever in Kerala
The government's decision was met with enthusiasm from football fans and associations throughout Kerala. The World Cup final will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday at 12:30 am IST. Spain, the reigning European champions, are vying for their first World Cup title since 2010, while Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, aims for consecutive championships.
Celebrations in Alappuzha
In Alappuzha, supporters of Argentina gathered to cheer for their team, donning jerseys and celebrating the World Cup spirit with great excitement. One Argentinian fan remarked, "We are eagerly anticipating this match. For our critics, this will be a proud moment. Tonight, we will win, and Messi will lift the World Cup."
Shashi Tharoor's Comments
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram commented, "I'm not a football expert, but I know Keralam has more Argentina fans than Spain fans. I will be flying to Parliament in Delhi to avoid the drama that will unfold here after the match. Regardless, it promises to be an extraordinary game between two highly successful teams. It's unfortunate that we lack a national team to support at this level, but I hope this world-class football inspires more young Indians to pursue football professionally."
Power Supply Assurance
In related news, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph assured that there would be no power outages during the FIFA World Cup final, confirming that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a steady electricity supply across the state. Speaking to reporters in Kannur, Joseph emphasized that arrangements are in place for viewers to enjoy the match. He also noted that special instructions had been given to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to maintain uninterrupted power throughout the game, which may require extra time due to the strength of the competing teams.