LatestLY
LatestLY
In an unexpected gesture of cultural inclusion, FIFA's official World Cup social media channels posted a congratulatory message in Marathi following Spain's 2-0 semi-final victory over France. The post featured the phrase *'आपलीच हवा'* and quickly went viral among Indian audiences.
The linguistic acknowledgment of one of India's major regional languages by football's global governing body resonated deeply with the Marathi-speaking community in Maharashtra and beyond. Fans celebrated seeing their mother tongue featured on such a prominent international platform, with the post garnering thousands of shares and likes.
This rare moment of regional language representation underscores FIFA's efforts to engage with the tournament's diverse global fan base. For many Indian football enthusiasts, the Marathi tribute became a memorable highlight of the World Cup's social media coverage, demonstrating the expanding cultural reach of the tournament beyond traditional football strongholds.
Spain now advances to face Argentina in the final on July 19, 2026.
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