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KUALA LUMPUR – Only 32 teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup. But what about those whose national teams failed to enter the competition? How do they get into the World Cup spirit?
It seems football fans in Kerala, India are taking things to the next level.
🇮🇳🏴 England NT fans from Kerala showing their support for Harry Kane and the team! 🔥#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/atbnfqv6n3
— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) November 21, 2022
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur’s India page posted on their Twitter a giant cut-out of England skipper Harry Kane in Kerala.
In Ottapalam, Palakkad, a massive 105ft cut-out of Brazil star Neymar towers over people, as a crane is needed to reach the top of the structure.
The cutouts in Kerala keep getting bigger, we are now at 105 feet 😂
— ⋆𝗡𝗲𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲 🇧🇷 (@Neymoleque) November 20, 2022
Ottapalam, Palakkad 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/KSOHTdhwO0
As the majority of fans in India are either supporters of Brazil or Argentina, there are undoubtedly cut-outs of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
The Hype Is Real In Kerala #Messi🔥#WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/qFGZzhUSCI
— ForumKeralam (@Forumkeralam2) November 14, 2022
The football fever even got the attention of the world football governing body, FIFA, as they posted a picture of cut-outs of Messi, Neymar, and Portugal frontman Cristiano Ronaldo on a riverbank in Pullavoor, Kerala.
#FIFAWorldCup fever has hit Kerala 🇮🇳
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 8, 2022
Giant cutouts of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi popped up on a local river ahead of the tournament.
12 days to go until #Qatar2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/29yEKQvln5
However, the spirit of unity is not shared across the world as a viral clip circulating on social media shows football fans in Kerala in Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal jerseys involved in an altercation.
In Kerala, India, fans of Brazil and Argentina are at war - India doesn’t have a world class team yet to play #FIFAWorldCup but fans have become already world class. pic.twitter.com/EnM97l6fTI
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) November 22, 2022
“In Kerala, India, fans of Brazil and Argentina are at war – India doesn’t have a world-class team yet to play in the FIFA World Cup. But fans have already become world-class,” Ashok Swain said on Twitter.
Argentina suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener last night, losing the match 2-1.
Messi gave the Copa America winners an early lead from the penalty spot, but Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Shehri equalised in the second half, while Salem Al-Dawsari struck in a second goal to seal the win.
Portugal will play their Group H opening match against Ghana midnight November 25, while Brazil take on Serbia in the following match. – The Vibes, November 23, 2022