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PADANG – The Provincial Government of West Sumatra is planning to organise a public viewing event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving local residents the opportunity to enjoy the matches together.

Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, believes that the world’s biggest football tournament will have a positive impact on the local economy, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

According to Mahyeldi, the enthusiasm of residents to watch the tournament—scheduled from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will create new business opportunities.

The provincial government is considering the West Sumatra Governor’s Office complex as the main venue for the public viewing event, as it is already equipped with a large LED screen.

“Whenever there’s a crowd in West Sumatra, you’ll usually find vendors around the area. This will certainly bring economic benefits and open up opportunities for MSMEs,” Mahyeldi said after leading the Pancasila Day ceremony at the Governor’s Office courtyard on Monday (1 June 2026).

He added, “We will also hold public screenings at other planned locations. Hopefully, the main one can take place at the Governor’s Office, as we already have an LED screen that the public can use to enjoy the matches together.”

Mahyeldi explained that the public screening events will not only serve as entertainment for residents but also help stimulate the local economy around the viewing areas.

He encouraged small business owners to use the momentum of the tournament to boost product sales during the world’s biggest football celebration.

Beyond its economic impact, Mahyeldi also sees the World Cup as an educational opportunity for Indonesian football enthusiasts, particularly young people aspiring to become professional players.

He shared that during his recent Ramadan Safari visits, many children in West Sumatra expressed their dream of becoming football players.

“During the Ramadan Safari, many children told me their dream was to become football players. This is a positive sign, and we must support them,” he stated.

Mahyeldi noted that the World Cup broadcasts accessible through TVRI present a valuable opportunity for the public to observe and learn from global football developments.

Through these matches, young players, coaches, and football fans can identify positive aspects that can be adopted in the development of Indonesian football.

“This is our chance to evaluate the state of Indonesian football. The positive elements showcased in the World Cup can be studied and applied to improve our football in the future,” he said.

Mahyeldi hopes that the 2026 World Cup will not only bring joy and entertainment to the people but also help drive regional economic growth while enhancing the quality of Indonesian football through lessons learned from the world’s best teams.