India Will One Day Play and Host a FIFA World Cup Final, Says Revanth Reddy

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final , Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed confidence that India will one day not only compete in a World Cup final but also host football's biggest tournament.

In a social media post on Sunday, the Chief Minister shared his passion for football and his vision for the future of the sport in India. He recalled the memorable occasion when football legend Lionel Messi visited Hyderabad and interacted with young players from Telangana, saying the experience reinforced his belief in the state's sporting potential.

Revanth Reddy said his enthusiasm for the FIFA World Cup is driven by more than fandom. He believes India can emerge as a major force in global football and urged people to remember his prediction that the country will eventually reach a World Cup final and host the event. He also expressed confidence that many of the future stars who could represent India on that stage would come from Telangana.

As excitement builds for the title clash, the Telangana government has made special arrangements to allow fans to enjoy the match. Hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafés across the state have been permitted to conduct live screenings and remain open until the game concludes.

The government has also directed police authorities to make extensive security arrangements on the lines of New Year celebrations. Officials said a "zero-tolerance" policy would be enforced against violations such as drunk driving, warning that strict action would be taken against offenders.

Football fever has spread across Hyderabad, with large murals of Lionel Messi and Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri adorning pillars of the Gachibowli Flyover and drawing attention from fans.

The final, scheduled for the early hours of Monday at the New York New Jersey Stadium , will feature defending champions Argentina against European champions Spain . Spain enter the contest on the back of a remarkable unbeaten run and a defence that has conceded just one goal throughout the tournament. Argentina, meanwhile, have made a habit of scoring decisive late goals and are aiming to lift the World Cup trophy for a second consecutive time, setting the stage for a blockbuster finale.