Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar joined football fans in Bengaluru for a public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, turning the evening into a platform to talk about his plans for the state.
What Shivakumar said
Speaking at the screening, Shivakumar said, "I am also building Team Karnataka." The remark tied the excitement around the FIFA World Cup final to his own vision for developing the state.
Appeal for calm during the final
Shivakumar also appealed to football fans to maintain law and order during the telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, a request aimed at keeping large public gatherings watching the match peaceful and incident-free.
Other states made their own arrangements
Karnataka was not alone in preparing for the final. In neighbouring Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy allowed commercial establishments to hold viewings of the FIFA World Cup final until 4 am, letting fans watch the late-night match at public venues rather than only at home.
A busy stretch for the Karnataka government
The football screening comes amid a series of other moves by Shivakumar's government. At Google I/O Connect India, the Karnataka CM had announced plans for a green data centre and an AI university. Earlier, he had unveiled his first cabinet after taking charge as Chief Minister, and had also expressed willingness to hold talks with Tamil Nadu on the Mekedatu project. Separately, the state's forest department has a pending request with the CM for additional veterinarians, while reports have also pointed out that the Chief Minister's bungalow received a makeover even as government staff quarters remain in a state of disrepair. Karnataka had earlier also seen widespread celebrations, with leaders including Shivakumar congratulating RCB after the team's second IPL title win.
