Maharashtra Extends Hotel, Restaurant Timings Till 4 AM For FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Football fans across Maharashtra will be able to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at restaurants, cafés and hotels without worrying about closing hours after the state government granted a one-time extension of operating hours until 4:00 AM on Monday, July 20.

The relaxation, issued by the Maharashtra Home Department under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, follows a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai, seeking permission for hospitality establishments to remain open for live screenings of the tournament finale.

The order applies to licensed eateries, hotels and restaurants across the state and is valid only for the FIFA World Cup final.

ALSO READ | Argentina Vs Spain: Kerala Declares Holiday For Schools, Colleges On July 20 Over FIFA World Cup Final

According to the government order, establishments must deploy adequate private security personnel inside and outside their premises and ensure that the extended operating hours do not lead to any law-and-order issues or public nuisance.

The order also bars illegal activities, obscene acts, loud music or any behaviour that could inconvenience the public. Restaurant managements will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and conditions.

The Maharashtra government said all existing rules governing licensed establishments will continue to remain in force. Any violation of the law or breach of public peace could invite legal action, including withdrawal of the relaxation.

The order further authorises District Magistrates and Police Commissioners to impose additional restrictions or revoke the extended timings depending on local law-and-order requirements and prevailing conditions.

The decision comes after the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai, in a letter dated July 19, requested permission for restaurants, hotels and eateries to remain open beyond their usual closing hours so fans could watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

ALSO READ | Spain vs Argentina Live Streaming: Likely Lineups, How To Watch FIFA World Cup Final On TV, Online?

According to media reports, Delhi, Telangana, Karnataka (Bengaluru) and Assam have also extended the operating hours of restaurants, cafés and bars to facilitate live screenings of the FIFA World Cup final.

PTI reported that Kerala has declared a holiday on Monday for all schools, colleges and higher educational institutions to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final. The decision was taken after the state government received requests from students, many of whom wanted to stay up to watch Sunday's late-night final between Argentina and Spain.

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Messi Left Annoyed After Crowd Cuts Off Spain Coach Mid-Sentence. Video Viral

Argentina football team superstar Lionel Messi was left visibly annoyed after Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente was cut off mid-sentence by the crowd during an event ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. At the event, de la Fuente was answering a question but was interrupted when the crowd started making noises. In a video going viral on social media, Messi was seen looking annoyed at the entire incident but he did not say anything. The Spain coach smiled and said -  "I was taught from a young age to be respectful and listen to the other. We should always learn a little. [There's a] need to compete and in that idea make ourselves strong so they fit that model."

Luis de la Fuente anticipates the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday (local time) is going to be "a cracking match," as per Reuters.

Messi y su reacción cuando no dejaron hablar a Luis de la Fuente 🇦🇷🇪🇸#DAZNMundial #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MrkptfXMnC

— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) July 17, 2026

Spain, the reigning European champions, are aiming for their first FIFA World Cup crown since 2010, while Lionel Messi's Argentina seek back-to-back titles.

Ahead of the final, Luis de la Fuente said the clash against Argentina is going to be a "cracking match," saying both teams share a similar footballing philosophy and are committed to playing an entertaining game where talent, quality and attacking football take centre stage.

"There are two top-class sides, two superb teams with many similarities - in their approach to the game and in the talent of their players - so I think it's going to be a cracking match. I believe that, in terms of our approach, both Argentina and Spain - Spain and Argentina alike - are setting out to play a match where brilliance, talent and good football will prevail over any other factor," he said as quoted by Reuters.

The Spain manager said reaching the FIFA World Cup final itself is a significant achievement, stressing that Spain are focused on enjoying the occasion, playing to their strengths and competing for the title while keeping a formidable Argentina side under control.

"For me, the important thing is to be in a position to win, to reach a final. I'd be happy to reach a World Cup final every year and lose. But to reach the final and have the chance to fight for the title. We're going to enjoy that moment using our strengths and our qualities, whilst keeping our opponents - who are a truly formidable side - in check," he said.

Notably, the Argentina-Spain final has also sparked talk around Lionel Messi and Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, though De la Fuente hasn't placed any heavy expectations on the youngster. The Spain manager hailed Messi as a unique talent and role model but stressed that Yamal should be allowed to develop on his own, saying the best way to support the teenager is to let him remain himself.

"Messi is one of a kind; he's an immense talent and, above all, an example for younger athletes. But Lamine has to be Lamine, and I think the best way we can help him is by supporting him, helping him to remain the Lamine we've come to know," he said.

(With ANI inputs)

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Ahead Of WC Final vs Spain, Scaloni's Praise For Messi Takes Internet By Storm

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Lionel Messi lead his team out in another World Cup final at the age of 39 as the holders aim to retain the trophy when they take on Spain this weekend. "He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who has already helped Argentina win a World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in the last five years. Messi's international career has enjoyed a remarkable late renaissance -- a decade ago he briefly retired from the Argentina team at the age of 29 after a Copa America final loss to Chile, his fourth defeat in a final for his country.

Messi and Scaloni hugged on the pitch at full-time after Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final win over England, with the Argentine captain calling that victory "pure history".

"It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football," Scaloni said of Messi, who has scored eight goals at this World Cup, which is his sixth, and is the tournament's all-time top scorer with 21.

"To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has in this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible.

"That is why I said we should enjoy having him, because look at what happened with Diego (Maradona) and how we ended up missing him.

"We still have Leo and we should appreciate that. He is the historic figure and the legend, as are all these players who have given us these marvellous years."

Argentina had gone 28 years without winning a major international title before lifting the Copa America in 2021 to spark this current golden era.

"They have done things that a few years ago were unthinkable. It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years," he said ahead of Sunday's final at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City.

"We might win and I hope we do but in any case the journey to get this far has been incredible."

Scaloni said he could not answer whether the game would definitely be Messi's last at a World Cup, but it seems highly unlikely he will continue until the next one in 2030.

Argentina will have to beat the reigning European champions if they are to become the first nation in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups.

"They are a great team. Everything worries me about them," Scaloni said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BCCI Rubbishes Speculation About Rohit, Says He Will Continue To Play After Lords ODI

The BCCI on Friday rubbished speculation about Rohit Sharma's future, stating he will continue to play for India after the series-deciding third and final ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday.

Speculation has been rife that the Lord's ODI on Sunday could be Rohit's last international match, but BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed any such suggestion.

"There are lot of speculations going on in media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday," Saikia told PTI in an exclusive interaction.

"Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, Lord's ODI wont be his last match."

Despite Rohit's publicly stated desire to play until the 2027 ODI World Cup, his modest returns in the first two matches of the series -- scores of 11 and 26 -- have fuelled the debate.

The three-match ODI series is tied 1-1.

ALSO READ: 'Players Like Rohit Deserve Respect': Ravichandran Ashwin Slams BCCI Selectors Amid Hitman-Retirement Buzz

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Bellingham Argues With Messi, Then Almost Comes To Blows With Argentina Star

Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham were the two central characters in the England vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash. Much of their teams' chances depended on the duo. It was no surprise when the two had a brief argument over a contentious decision by the referee. Shortly after the match started, Leandro Paredes went in late on Jude Bellingham, and Enzo Fernandez did likewise to Elliot Anderson soon after. The England camp felt it warranted a card, but the referee disagreed. It was at this point that Messi argued with Bellingham. Argentina ultimately won the match 2-1 and entered the final.

I agree that Tuchel was at fault.

But whatever tf Bellingham said to Messi here was also a factor…. pic.twitter.com/gmdrYgA1PB

— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 15, 2026

After the match was over, Bellingham went and fought with Valentin Barco, who played last season at Strasbourg in France's Ligue .

Jude Bellingham attacks Colo Barco for no reason. pic.twitter.com/hHRedke0kc

— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 15, 2026

Lionel Messi sent in the cross that sent Argentina to the World Cup final after another improbable comeback.

Trailing 1-0 going into the final five minutes of regulation time, Messi delivered a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday.

Messi also provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez's equalising goal in the 85th minute.

At the end of another exhausting match - another match in which Argentina were stretched to the final minutes - Messi dropped to his knees in celebration.

Argentina, who will play Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but the team's other chances failed to find the back of the net.

Fernandez scored the equaliser with a long-range effort as Argentina pressed desperately for a goal, and Martinez headed in the winner with time running out.

Argentina had to come through yet another tough match at this year's expanded 48-team tournament after surviving scares against Cape Verde and Egypt.

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England vs Argentina Free Live Telecast, FIFA WC Semi-Final Live Streaming

England vs Argentina Free Live Telecast, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Live Streaming | When And Where To Watch: England and Argentina made key changes for their World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. England coach Thomas Tuchel called in Morgan Rogers in place of Noni Madueke on the right wing and also handed starts to Reece James and Djed Spence in defense. Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly were benched. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made just one change, picking Gio Simeone in midfield ahead of Rodrigo De Paul. (England vs Argentina Live Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Live)

When will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final be played?

The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final will be played on Wednesday (Thursday IST, July 16).

Where will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match be played?

The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match will be played in Atlanta.

What time will the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match start?

The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final will start at 12:30 AM IST (Thursday).

Which TV channels will telecast the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final for free?

The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match will be telecast live on the Unite8 SPorts. Free telecast will also be there on DD Sports (DD Free Dish)

Stakes are high

Defending champions Argentina are all set to take on England for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.

Who will join Spain in the summit clash? #FIFAWorldCup2026 #ARGvENG @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/1LmEzS9dVX

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) July 15, 2026

Where to follow the live streaming of the England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match?

The England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final match will be streamed live on Zee5 app.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

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Jana Sena Suspends Leader Over Remarks Against BJP's Bandi Sanjay Kumar

The Jana Sena Party has temporarily suspended Telangana leader Bethi Mahender Reddy following his controversial remarks against Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

In a statement issued by the Jana Sena Telangana State Office, State In-charge Nemuri Shankar Goud said the party has decided to keep Beti Mahender Reddy away from party activities for some time. The party said the decision was taken after taking serious note of the allegations and comments made by the leader. 

According to the party sources, Beti Mahender Reddy allegedly made baseless and personal remarks against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who belongs to the BJP, Jana Sena's alliance partner in the NDA. The party considered the comments as a violation of party discipline and acted immediately. 

Jana Sena clarified that the issue is related to Beti Mahender Reddy's personal disputes and has no connection with the party. It said personal differences should not be linked to the organisation and warned that indiscipline will not be tolerated.

The party also said the suspension is only a temporary measure. It will verify the facts and examine the allegations before taking a final decision on Beti Mahender Reddy's future in the party. 

Beti Mahender Reddy is a senior advocate from Karimnagar and had earlier served as Jana Sena's Karimnagar Parliament Coordinator. Before joining Jana Sena, he was associated with the BJP. 

The development has attracted political attention because it involves remarks against a Union Minister from Jana Sena's alliance partner. By acting quickly, the party has signalled that it wants to maintain discipline and avoid any controversy that could affect its relationship with the BJP.

The party said that a final decision will be taken only after the facts are verified. 

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