Kerala School Holiday for FIFA World Cup Final: Football fever has gripped Kerala as the state government announced a special holiday for schools on Monday, allowing students to stay up and watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain. The General Education Department declared the holiday for all schools under its jurisdiction after receiving requests from football-loving students eager to watch the late-night title clash. The final kicks off late on Sunday night, making it difficult for many children to attend school the next morning.
Sharing the announcement on social media, General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen addressed students with a cheerful message: “Happy now, kids?”
Political Leaders Back the Move
The demand for a school holiday received support across party lines.
CPI(M) leader and former Education Minister V. Sivankutty had earlier urged the government to declare Monday a holiday, noting that the late-night final would make it challenging for students to reach school on time. To make up for the missed academic day, he proposed declaring a forthcoming Saturday as a working day. Leaders from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) also backed the proposal, highlighting Kerala’s deep-rooted passion for football.
With fans across the state eagerly awaiting the showdown between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Spain, the government’s decision has been widely welcomed by students and football enthusiasts alike.