On Friday, the Bengal government directed all district magistrates to set up giant screens at prominent locations across every district to ensure that people get to collectively enjoy the Fifa World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday. The government even allotted 1 lakh per district to ensure that everything happens smoothly. But football crazy Kolkata has been preparing for the final for days now. From local clubs to production houses and offices, everyone is planning screenings and feasts. “This Sunday, our auditorium is turning into a mini football stadium,” says Nandita Roy, director and co-founder of a city production house. “Before kickoff, there’s an elaborate Chinese feast coming in, and then the football frenzy takes over,” she adds.
The worldviewDr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East and North-East India, stands by his early prediction: Spain is the team to beat. But he also acknowledges Argentina’s dramatic journey in the tournament. “Perhaps the goal that took Argentina to the final will be the tournament’s most talked-about moment. It brought tears to more than one English fan’s eye,” he says. According to Marc Boudin, Director, Alliance Française du Bengale, he had planned to cheer for France in the final. “But football can be delightfully unpredictable. So this Sunday, I’ll be watching with a little less stress, a little more cheese, and simply enjoying the beautiful game. I admire Argentina’s fighting spirit and Spain’s discipline and tactical intelligence. But I’m hoping that fair play and beautiful football come out on top,” he adds. Feasts, adda and fun: City gears up for the World Cup ’26 climaxFinal fever hits the workplaceRoy adds that everyone in their office is backing Argentina. “So, the dominant colours in the room will be blue and white,” she says, adding “There are a handful of Spain supporters who will proudly wear their colours too, but they’ll definitely be outnumbered. “Similarly, Mahendra Soni, co-founder and director of another production house, is transforming a room in their office into a screening arena. “A World Cup final is one of those rare occasions that deserves a giant screen and even bigger company,” he shares. “We plan to experience every kick, save, and goal as one team. The build-up is electric, filled with friendly rivalries, endless predictions, and of course, plenty of debates.”Firdausul Hasan, owner of another production house, has booked around 50 seats at a local club for his team and their families. “The World Cup final is best enjoyed together, so we’ve turned it into a picnic of sorts,” Hasan says, adding that the evening will feature good food, camaraderie, and a non-negotiable dress code: team jerseys.Community spirit: From paras to living roomsThe story doesn’t end there. Club members and groups of friends and family are planning to enjoy together too.Street screenings: The Dishari Club is moving its usual indoor screening outside. After a community dinner, fans will rally together under the open sky. As one member put it, “What matters is nobody watches this alone.”Shared feasts: East Bengal fans in Howrah have collected chanda to fund a pre-match dinner of khichuri and eggs. “We eat together, we shout together, and if there’s a penalty shootout, we suffer together,” a fan says with a smile.Superstitious sanctuaries: Some die-hard fans refuse to jinx the game, opting to watch the final in the exact same living room where they’ve watched every big Argentina victory so far.With inputs by Monodeep Dey
