No Kidding! It’s A School Holiday For Kids In Kerala To Watch Messi's World Cup Final

Published 19 July 2026 · sports

No Kidding! It’s A School Holiday For Kids In Kerala To Watch Messi's World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:59 IST

No Kidding! It’s A School Holiday For Kids In Kerala To Watch Messi's World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:59 IST The final will see Lionel Messi's Argentina attempt to defend their title against a Spanish side chasing its second World Cup crown. Argentina or Spain? Who Are You Supporting in the FIFA World Cup Final? Whether you're backing Argentina's champions or Spain's new generation of stars, football fans around the world will be watching every moment. Who are you supporting — Argentina or Spain? (Image: AFP) With football fever reaching its peak ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, Kerala declared a holiday for all schools under the General Education Department on Monday, allowing students to stay up and watch the midnight showdown between Argentina and Spain.

The decision was announced on Sunday after students across the state appealed for a holiday, saying it would be difficult to attend classes after watching the highly anticipated final, which kicks off at 12.30 am IST on Monday. General Education Minister N. Samsudheen confirmed the decision on social media and addressed students directly, writing: “Happy now, children?" The announcement quickly drew attention across Kerala, a state known for its passionate football culture. The demand for a holiday had also received political backing. CPI(M) leader and former Education Minister V. Sivankutty had earlier urged the government to declare a day off, arguing that students would struggle to attend school after staying up for the late-night final. He also suggested compensating for the lost academic day by converting a Saturday holiday into a working day.

Leaders from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) had similarly supported calls for a holiday. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan also acknowledged the excitement surrounding the match, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that Kerala was experiencing the “ultimate football fever" ahead of the final. “As Keralam catches the ultimate football fever ahead of the grand Argentina-Spain finale, to ensure our young fans can enjoy the midnight thriller without worrying about school or college the next morning, the Government has declared a holiday for all educational institutions tomorrow. Stay up, cheer out loud, and enjoy the game," he wrote. The World Cup final will see Lionel Messi’s Argentina attempt to defend their title against a Spanish side chasing its second World Cup crown after an unbeaten run through the tournament. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Could this set a precedent for future major sporting events?