India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal took some time away from cricket to tick off a personal dream by attending a FIFA World Cup 2026 match, watching France take on Sweden in the Round of 32 at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Fresh from an impressive run in international cricket, the left-handed batter enjoyed the electric atmosphere as one of the world’s biggest sporting events unfolded.
Jaiswal later gave fans a glimpse of his experience by sharing a video on social media with the caption, “Bucket list.” The post quickly caught the attention of cricket and football fans alike.
The 24-year-old embraced the football fever by wearing Lionel Messi’s iconic Argentina No. 10 jersey while joining thousands of supporters inside and outside the stadium. He was also seen singing along to Shakira’s official FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, before soaking in the pre-match entertainment and vibrant celebrations surrounding the venue.
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Jaiswal was last seen representing India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June, where he continued his impressive form in red-ball cricket. He also grabbed his opportunity in the ODI series after replacing Virat Kohli, who missed the games through injury. The stylish opener made a huge impact, smashing a brilliant 110 off just 86 deliveries to strengthen his case in India’s white-ball setup.
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However, Kohli’s return to full fitness meant Jaiswal missed out on selection for the ongoing ODI series against England. Despite that setback, the youngster remains a key figure in India’s long-term Test plans, having firmly established himself as one of the country’s most dependable opening batters.
With his short football break now behind him, Jaiswal’s focus will soon return to cricket as India prepare for a busy international calendar featuring series against Zimbabwe, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia.
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While his place in the Test XI appears secure, earning a regular spot in India’s white-ball teams remains a tougher challenge. Competition for opening positions is intense, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in ODIs, and Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in T20Is, all vying for limited opportunities.
