‘They’re defeating nations who occupied’: inside Bangladesh’s World Cup love affair with Argentina and Brazil

Bangladesh's affinity for Argentina and Brazil in the World Cup is a notable phenomenon, given the country's geographic and cultural distance from South America. The nation's history and cultural identity may play a role in this allegiance, with some suggesting that the support for these teams is linked to a sense of solidarity with nations that have overcome colonial or occupying powers. This fervent support is not limited to Bangladesh itself, but is also evident among the Bangladeshi diaspora community around the world.

‘They’re defeating nations who occupied’: inside Bangladesh’s World Cup love affair with Argentina and Brazil

The nation of more than 170 million people – and its diaspora – have long supported the South American giants When Shahidul Partha was growing up in Kulkandi, Bangladesh in the early 2000s, many of the villagers watched World Cup matches on his family’s property. Upwards of 80 people piled into his front yard to watch the action on a 14in black-and-white TV, run by battery and one of the only sets in the area. To calm themselves, they sipped on milk tea and ate biscuits. The crowd cheered whenever Brazil or Argentina scored. “It was a very nice moment and it was like they were playing with the players,” 35-year-old Partha says. He now lives in Hatfield, Pennsylvania and works as a software engineer, as well as a commissioner for the township and other local governments. Continue reading...