Staying up late to watch the FIFA World Cup final? Students in Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur have Monday morning off
According to media reports, the governments of Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur have declared a holiday for all educational institutions today (July 20, 2026) as football fever reaches its peak ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. It allows students to stay up late to watch the highly anticipated match between Spain and Argentina without having to worry about being able to attend class the next morning. The World Cup final kicked off at 12:30 am (IST) on Monday and continued until the early hours.
Kerala announces state-wide holiday
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced that all educational institutions, including vocational colleges, will remain closed on Monday.Football holds a special place in Kerala culture and the state’s passion for the sport is admired across the world, the chief minister said in a Facebook post.He pointed out that under normal circumstances, the final will end at around 2:30 am IST, and if it goes into overtime or penalty kicks, the final will end around 2:30 am. Taking into account students’ concerns about staying up late to attend school, the government decided to declare a holiday.“Children have been asking how to go to school after staying up late. The government has decided to declare a holiday for all educational institutions across the state, including vocational colleges. So that everyone can enjoy the final between Argentina and Spain,” he said.Kerala Education Minister N Samsudheen added that the education ministry also wanted to encourage students’ interest in sports and the decision was both practical and symbolic.
Meghalaya follows
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also declared 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 world’s biggest sporting events the next morning without the pressure of academics.The northeastern state has long been known for its vibrant football culture, producing several national-level players and attracting large crowds to domestic tournaments.
Manipur closes schools, colleges
Manipur has also joined the list of states that have declared holidays for educational institutions. According to an order issued by the state’s Department of Education, the governor directed all schools and colleges to remain closed on Monday to allow students across the state to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.The order said the move “is to enable students across the state to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.”
Football’s unparalleled popularity
The three states’ decision reflects football’s deep cultural roots in several parts of India, particularly Kerala and the northeast. While cricket dominates the sports scene in the country. The sport of football is hugely popular in these states, with international tournaments often attracting community screenings and enthusiastic celebrations.The festival announcement also highlights wider efforts by state governments to promote sport among young people, while recognizing the importance of major global sporting events.As Argentina and Spain battle it out for football’s top prize, students in Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur can now stay up late to watch the final without having to rush to their classrooms the next morning.
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