India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal took a break from cricket to enjoy the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026, attending the Round of 32 clash between France and Sweden at the New York–New Jersey Stadium. The young batter’s visit quickly grabbed attention after he shared glimpses of the experience on social media, calling it a “Bucket list” moment.
Fresh off an impressive run with the Indian cricket team, Jaiswal embraced the football fever by wearing Lionel Messi’s iconic Argentina No. 10 jersey. Videos and photos from the stadium showed the 24-year-old soaking in the vibrant atmosphere alongside thousands of fans. He was also seen singing Shakira’s official FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai while enjoying the pre-match celebrations and entertainment.
Jaiswal was last seen in action during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, where he continued his fine form in red-ball cricket. He also made a strong impression in the ODI series, smashing 110 runs off just 86 balls after replacing the injured Virat Kohli in the squad. However, with Kohli returning to full fitness, Jaiswal was not included in India’s ODI squad for the ongoing England series.
Despite missing out on the current ODI assignment, the left-handed opener remains a vital part of India’s Test setup and is regarded as one of the team’s brightest young batting talents. His consistent performances have strengthened his position in the longest format of the game.
After enjoying his football getaway, Jaiswal is expected to shift his focus back to cricket as India prepare for a busy international calendar featuring series against Zimbabwe, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia. While his place in the Test team looks secure, competition for spots in India’s ODI and T20I squads remains intense with established stars and emerging talents battling for opportunities.