Streets across Bangladesh are awash with the vibrant national colours of Brazil and Argentina as the 2026 World Cup gets underway. Despite the South Asian nation of 170 million people having never qualified for the tournament, its citizens are renowned globally for their fervent dedication to these South American footballing giants. This intense allegiance often transforms into fierce rivalry, occasionally spilling over into public altercations.
The passion is palpable, with fans going to extraordinary lengths to display their support. Towering cut-outs of stars like Lionel Messi adorn residential areas, while sports markets in Dhaka's affluent Gulshan neighbourhood report brisk sales of replica jerseys, priced at around Tk500 (approximately £3). This generational affection for Brazil and Argentina, nations with no direct geographical or political ties to Bangladesh, can turn friends into rivals during the month-long tournament.
The depth of this rivalry was starkly illustrated earlier this month in Habiganj, where dozens sustained injuries in clashes between Brazil and Argentina supporters following a local football match. In the Shariatpur area, some young men have even declared they will postpone marriage until Brazil secures the trophy, last won in 2002. While Brazil and Argentina dominate the fan base, other nations occasionally capture attention; 72-year-old Amjad Hossian recently made headlines for creating a 7.5-kilometre-long German flag, funded by selling a portion of his land, with aspirations for it to be displayed in a German museum.
The historical roots of Bangladesh's football passion trace back to British colonial rule, which introduced the sport to undivided India. In the 1960s and 70s, during periods of domestic political upheaval in what was then East Pakistan, young people found inspiration in Brazil's dominant team, with Pelé becoming a national hero. The sport's popularity surged further in the mid-1980s with increased television ownership, and the 1986 World Cup, viewed in colour by many for the first time, cemented Argentina's place in the nation's heart, largely due to Diego Maradona's iconic goals against England, which resonated as a symbolic victory over a former colonial power.
Today, Lionel Messi fills the void left by Maradona for Argentine fans, while Neymar is a favourite among Brazil supporters. This fervent devotion has previously had tragic consequences; a study indicated that 23 people died during the 2022 World Cup due to clashes between rival fan groups. As the World Cup expands to 48 teams and 104 matches across the US, Mexico, and Canada until 19th July, the intensity of this remote but passionate rivalry is expected to continue.
Even nations like Norway, participating in their first World Cup in 28 years, are keen to tap into Bangladesh's football fever. The Norwegian embassy has actively appealed to fans to support the 'Vikings', highlighting the deep-rooted relationship between the countries, noting Norway was among the first to recognise Bangladesh's independence. Their social media appeal urged Bangladesh to 'back the underdogs' and 'dream big together'.
Source: Prothom Alo, Norwegian Embassy