Kerala has officially declared a holiday for all schools, colleges, and professional educational institutions this coming Monday, just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final featuring Spain and Argentina. This decision was made public on Sunday after students from across the state appealed to the government for a day off, citing the late-night kickoff that would make it tough to attend classes the following morning. The final is set to kick off at 12:30 am IST on Monday. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has instructed that all educational institutions close for the day. However, any exams that were already scheduled will still take place as planned, with no changes to the existing timetable.
The announcement reflects Kerala’s strong football culture, which reaches its peak during major international tournaments. Sharing the decision on X, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the state was witnessing the “ultimate football fever” before the final. He said, “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.”
Schools Across India Adjust Plans for FIFA World Cup Final 2026
Kerala’s recent decision comes as schools across the country are making changes to embrace the excitement of the FIFA World Cup final. While there hasn’t been a nationwide holiday declared, some educational institutions have adjusted their schedules to avoid conflicts with the late-night match.
Take South Point High School in Kolkata, for instance. They recently postponed part of their July exam schedule. An official circular released on July 1 announced that the Periodic Assessment I, Pre Midterm Test, and Unit Test I for students in Classes VI to XII would be pushed back. These exams, originally set for July 20 and 21, were rescheduled because they were too close to the World Cup final on July 19.
Kerala’s announcement is one of the first at the state level to declare a holiday specifically for the FIFA World Cup final. This decision came in response to increasing public demand, with former Education Minister V. Sivankutty advocating for the government to cancel classes. He pointed out that students would likely have a tough time getting to school on time after watching a match that could run into the early hours of Monday. He also proposed making up for the lost academic day by turning a Saturday holiday into a school day.
This call for a holiday has garnered support from various leaders within the United Democratic Front. Meanwhile, General Education Minister N. Samsudheen, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, and Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh, all passionate football fans, have been actively sharing messages cheering for their favorite teams throughout the tournament.
