KUALA LUMPUR July 20, 2026 — Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed gratitude for the lively gathering of thousands of football fans who came together to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at Bangi Square 2.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) early Monday morning, Zahid described the previous night’s event as a joyful occasion that highlighted the spirit of togetherness in Malaysia.
“Terima kasih saya ucapkan kepada semua yang memeriahkan Bangi Square 2 malam tadi. Seronok dapat meluangkan masa bersama ribuan peminat bola sepak yang hadir menyaksikan Final Piala Dunia 2026,” he wrote.
He emphasised that the true value of the occasion went beyond the result of the match.
“Inilah indahnya Malaysia.. tidak kira bangsa, agama mahupun latar belakang, kita boleh berkumpul dan berkongsi minat yang sama. Bagi saya.. tidak kira siapapun yang muncul juara. Apa yang lebih bermakna ialah kebersamaan, silaturahim dan kenangan yang kita cipta bersama,” the post stated.
The public screening at the popular one-stop food station drew a diverse crowd of Malaysians from various backgrounds, united by their love for football. Photos from the event showed enthusiastic fans cheering, waving flags, and creating a festive atmosphere despite the early morning timing due to the time difference with the match in the United States.
The celebration continued into the early hours with a “Semarak Subuh” programme at Surau Al-Hamidiah in Kajang. Zahid thanked participants who stayed on for qiyam (night vigil) and the congregational Subuh prayer.
“Alhamdulillah, pagi tadi juga diakhiri dengan Program Semarak Subuh di Surau Al-Hamidiah, Kajang. Terima kasih kepada semua yang terus bersama sehingga qiyam dan Solat Subuh berjemaah. Semoga ukhuwah ini terus berkekalan dan diberkati Allah SWT,” he added.
The post, accompanied by photos of the packed venue and a group gathering after prayers, carried the hashtags #FIFAWorldCup2026, #BangiSquare2, #SemarakSubuh, and #SurauAlHamidiah.
The event reflects a growing tradition in Malaysia of organising large public viewings for major football matches, blending national passion for the sport with community and spiritual activities. Zahid’s message focused on the unifying power of shared experiences in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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