FIFA World Cup Final: Meghalaya Declares Monday Holiday For Schools, Colleges; CM Sangma Says 'Football Is A Way Of Life'

Published 19 July 2026 · sports

FIFA World Cup Final: Meghalaya Declares Monday Holiday For Schools, Colleges; CM Sangma Says 'Football Is A Way Of Life' Published By, Last Updated: July

FIFA World Cup Final: Meghalaya Declares Monday Holiday For Schools, Colleges; CM Sangma Says 'Football Is A Way Of Life' Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 19:41 IST Meghalaya joins Kerala and Manipur in declaring a Monday holiday for schools and colleges to let students watch the FIFA World Cup final. Meghalaya joins Kerala and Manipur in announcing a Monday holiday for schools and colleges to let students watch the FIFA World Cup final. (IMAGE: PTI FILE) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Sunday announced a holiday for all schools and colleges across the state on Monday, allowing students to stay up and watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain. The announcement comes amid widespread excitement over football in the northeastern state, which has embraced the tournament through government-backed fan parks and community screenings. “I have decided that tomorrow, Monday, will be a holiday for all educational institutions, including schools and colleges," Sangma said in a video message, adding that the decision was taken to allow youngsters to enjoy the much-awaited final.

Defending champions Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final, scheduled to kick off at 12.30 am IST on Monday. Describing football as “a passion and a way of life" in Meghalaya, Sangma said the state’s love for the sport has been evident throughout the tournament. The state has witnessed a strong response to the CM Fan Parks set up for live screenings at a parking lot in Shillong, as well as in Jowai and Tura, drawing thousands of football enthusiasts for the matches. Meghalaya’s football celebrations also received global attention recently after FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared a social media post highlighting the state’s enthusiasm for the sport and the fan parks. Referring to the overwhelming response to the screenings, Sangma wished football fans an enjoyable final and hoped they would cherish the occasion with friends and family. Meghalaya is not the only state to announce a holiday for the showpiece clash. Kerala has declared a holiday for schools and higher educational institutions on Monday, while the Manipur government has also announced a holiday for schools, colleges and universities, reflecting the immense popularity of football in the two states.

The late-night kickoff has prompted several state governments to allow students to watch the final without worrying about attending classes the following morning. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Which other Indian states declared a holiday for the FIFA World Cup final? Meghalaya, Kerala, and Manipur declared holidays for schools and colleges to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the holiday for all educational institutions in his state on Monday. How did FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledge Meghalaya's football enthusiasm? FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged Meghalaya's football enthusiasm by sharing a social media post highlighting the state's celebrations and fan parks. What impact will this holiday have on student attendance and engagement? Meghalaya and Kerala have declared holidays for educational institutions on Monday, July 20, 2026, to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18.