As football fever peaked ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, the governments of Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur declared a holiday today, July 20, 2026 for all educational institutions according to media reports. It allowed students to stay up and watch the much-anticipated clash between Spain and Argentina without worrying about attending classes the next morning. The World Cup final kicked off at 12:30 am IST on Monday and ran into the early hours.
Kerala announces statewide holiday
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that all educational institutions, including professional colleges, will remain closed on Monday.In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister said football occupies a special place in Kerala’s culture and that the state’s enthusiasm for the sport is admired across the world.He noted that the final would end around 2:30 am IST under normal circumstances and even later if it went into extra time or a penalty shootout. Acknowledging concerns raised by students about attending school after staying up late, the government decided to declare a holiday.“Children have been asking how they will manage to go to school after staying up so late. The government has decided to declare a holiday for all educational institutions in the state, including professional colleges. Let everyone enjoy the Argentina-Spain final with all its excitement,” he said.Kerala Education Minister N Samsudheen added that the Education Department also wanted to encourage students’ interest in sports, making the decision both practical and symbolic.
Meghalaya follows suit
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also announced a holiday for all educational institutions across the state.Calling football “a passion and a way of life” in Meghalaya, Sangma said the decision was aimed at giving young football enthusiasts an opportunity to watch one of the biggest sporting events in the world without academic pressure the following morning.The northeastern state has long been known for its vibrant football culture, producing several national-level players and drawing large crowds for domestic tournaments.
Manipur closes schools and colleges
Manipur also joined the list of states declaring a holiday for educational institutions. According to an order issued by the state’s Education Department, the Governor directed that all schools and colleges remain closed on Monday to enable students across the state to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.The order stated that the move was taken “with a view to enable students across the state to enjoy FIFA World Cup 2026 final.”
Football’s unmatched popularity
The decision by the three states reflects football’s deep cultural roots in several parts of India, particularly in Kerala and the northeastern region. While cricket dominates much of the country’s sporting world. The football enjoys immense popularity in these states, where international tournaments often draw community screenings and enthusiastic celebrations.The holiday announcements also underline a broader effort by state governments to promote sports among young people while recognising the significance of major global sporting events.With Argentina and Spain set to battle for football’s biggest prize, students across Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur can now stay up to witness the final without having to rush to classrooms the next morning.
