The Kerala government has declared a holiday for all schools under the General Education Department on Monday, July 20, following requests from students who wanted to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. The decision comes as football fans across the state prepare for the Argentina vs Spain title clash, which will be played late Sunday night and continue into the early hours of Monday in India. The government said the holiday would allow students to enjoy the match without worrying about attending school the next morning.
General Education Minister N. Samsudheen announced the decision on social media with a light-hearted message for students. Sharing the update, the minister wrote, “Happy now, children?”, confirming that the holiday had been granted following students requests. The demand for a school holiday received support from leaders across political parties. CPI(M) leader and former Education Minister V. Sivankutty had earlier urged the government to declare a holiday, suggesting that the lost academic day could be compensated by making a Saturday a working day. Several leaders from the United Democratic Front (UDF) also backed the proposal.
When Is The FIFA World Cup Final?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played between Argentina and Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium. For fans in India, the match kicks off at 12:30 am IST on Monday, making it a late night event for viewers across the country.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, inspired by the Super Bowl. The performance has been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and is expected to feature artists including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS 22 Choir. Several Sesame Street characters are also expected to appear. The halftime show is expected to last around 11 minutes, with the overall break likely extending beyond the usual 20 minutes.Â
According to reports, US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final and join the trophy presentation ceremony after the match.
