As football fever peaked ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, the governments of Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur declared today, July 20, 2026, a public holiday for all educational institutions, according to media reports. It allowed students to stay up and watch the long-awaited clash between Spain and Argentina without worrying about attending classes the next morning. The World Cup final started at 12:30 IST on Monday and started early.
Kerala announces holidays across the state
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced that all educational institutions, including vocational schools, will remain closed on Monday.In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister said that football holds a special place in Kerala’s culture and 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 the concerns raised by students about attending school after staying up late, the government decided to declare a holiday.“The children have wondered how they will manage to go to school after staying so late. The Government has decided to declare holidays in all educational institutions in the State, including professional colleges. Let everyone enjoy the Argentina-Spain final with all their 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 is following suit
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also announced a holiday for all educational institutions across the state.Terming football as “a passion and a way of life” in Meghalaya, Sangma said the decision was aimed at giving young football enthusiasts a chance to watch one of the world’s biggest sporting events without academic pressure the next morning.The northeastern state has long been known for its vibrant football culture, producing several national-level players and attracting large crowds for national tournaments.
Manipur closes schools and colleges
Manipur also joined the list of states declaring holidays for educational institutions. According to an order issued by the state Education Department, the governor ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed on Monday to enable students across the state to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.The order said the move was made “with an aim to enable students across the state to enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup final”.
The unparalleled popularity of football
The decision of the three states reflects the deep cultural roots of football in various parts of India, especially in Kerala and the Northeast region. While cricket dominates much of the country’s sporting world. Soccer enjoys immense popularity in these states, where international tournaments often attract community screenings and enthusiastic celebrations.The holiday announcements also underscore a broader effort by state governments to promote sports among youth while recognizing the importance of major global sporting events.With Argentina and Spain set to battle it out for football’s biggest prize, students in Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur can now stay up to witness the final without having to rush to classrooms the next morning.