Football fever grips
The wait lasted four years, or 1,460 days. On Thursday night, it finally ended. With the referee’s whistle, the World Cup, the “Greatest Show on Earth”, began.
Bangladesh is not playing in the tournament, and there is little prospect of that happening in the near future. The tournament is being held 12,000 to 15,000 kilometres away across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Yet in Bangladesh, emotions are already running high as fans throw themselves into World Cup fever.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. From the capital to remote villages, flags of favourite teams are flying from rooftops. Fans are wearing jerseys with pride, turning streets, alleys and neighbourhoods into pockets of football celebration. The joy may fade for some within a month, as favourite teams lose and dreams are broken, but for now the mood is festive.
One of the biggest attractions in Dhaka this year is KM Das Lane in Tikatuli, especially the narrow alley beside Mitali School. Local residents have transformed it into “FIFA Goli”, or FIFA Alley, and images of the decorated lane have already gone viral on social media and in news outlets.
A visit to the alley brings visitors face to face with portraits of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentine World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi, Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr and France’s Kylian Mbappé. The walls also feature football “king” Pelé, Argentine “football god” Diego Maradona and Brazilian “phenomenon” Ronaldo Nazário, along with flags of all 48 participating World Cup teams.
One of the organisers, Al Amin Hossain Robin, told The Daily Star, “We organised something similar during the last World Cup as well. This time, we are doing it on a larger scale. Elders, older brothers, younger brothers -- everyone in the neighborhood contributed financially to transform the alley.”
Standing before the artwork, eighth-grader Samin posed for a photograph. Nearby, his friend Nehal could not resist teasing him.
“One World Cup and suddenly you Argentinians think you own football!” Nehal joked, before walking over to pose in front of Neymar Jr’s portrait.
Samin quickly replied, “At least we brought the trophy home. You Brazilians are still living off old memories!”
“You’re taking pictures like Messi himself invited you!” Nehal laughed.
Samin grinned and shot back, “Better than posing with Neymar and hoping for a comeback every tournament!”
Banani has also taken on a festive look. Colourful flags, team banners, murals and lighting have given the area a new appearance, as supporters of Brazil, Argentina and other football powers fill the streets with excitement.
The most eye-catching feature there is the display of flags of all 48 participating teams hanging overhead. Every day, crowds gather to take photos, turning Banani into what many are calling a “football city”.
The scale of the craze is also visible around Dhaka University. Every hall, building and even tree seems to have taken on the look of an international organisation’s office. Alongside huge flags of Brazil and Argentina, the colours of Spain, Germany, Portugal, England and France are on display. In some places, flags of Croatia, Japan and Nigeria are also flying.
The excitement has spread across all levels of society. On streets in the capital and beyond, “ministers” and “ambassadors” of Brazil, Argentina and other countries can be seen in the form of supporters who decorate their cars with national flags. Some place flags on car bonnets, with each trying to outdo the other.
The working class is equally involved. Rickshaw puller Faruk has placed an Argentine flag on his vehicle.
“This rickshaw is mine. If I had more money, I would decorate the whole thing with Argentina’s flag,” he said.
Sitting nearby, Brazilian supporter and fellow rickshaw puller Alim responded, “Put up your flag if you’re happy, but you still can’t win the World Cup without penalties.”
A heated but friendly argument followed.
Similar scenes are visible across offices, streets and neighbourhood hangouts.
Many fans are also actively recruiting supporters for their favourite teams. From university halls to public roads, informal campaigns are under way. In many university halls, lists of supporters have been prepared to organise match-day activities. On social media, fan pages for different teams are competing for attention.
Fans including Rajib, Raju, Imtiaz, Azad, Jahid, Hasnain, Bappi, Asad, Saba, Tithi, Nishi and Juthi said they were actively promoting their teams. They plan to watch matches together on giant screens, with food and celebrations.
Football has become the central topic of conversation. From tea stalls to bedrooms, the World Cup dominates discussion. Even before the tournament began, fans had already declared their favourite teams champions through arguments and banter. Others replied in kind, leading to playful quarrels that often ended over tea.
The excitement has been further fuelled by rallies in different parts of Dhaka. Before the tournament began, colourful rallies, processions and festive gatherings were held across the city. Supporters wearing team jerseys and carrying flags and banners took to the streets in large numbers.
These football rallies have been particularly visible in Banani, Tikatuli, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Dhanmondi and Old Dhaka. Supporters of Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain and other teams have come out in force to express their passion.
The rallies have featured drums, music, slogans and celebration. Some fans painted their faces, while others carried posters of their favourite players. Children and elderly people joined the youth in the festivities.
In many areas, temporary stages and lighting arrangements have been set up. In some places, walls have been decorated with images of World Cup stars, drawing visitors from nearby areas. After the rallies, many fans stayed back to discuss matches and possible results.
Organisers said the purpose of these rallies was not only to support teams but also to promote social harmony and shared joy. There was no division, they said, only a common identity as football lovers.
Now that the World Cup has begun, football fever is only growing across Dhaka’s streets and neighbourhoods. The rallies, flags, murals and friendly arguments show that for many Bangladeshis, football is not just a game. It is an emotion, a festival and a reason to come together.
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