Their voices, however, carried distinct accents, originating from cities like Kolkata and Dhaka, Kochi and Varanasi, and from South Asian immigrant communities throughout the United States.
While each World Cup fosters adopted nations, few have embraced a team with the fervent dedication Argentina commands in South Asia.
This connection has consistently appeared unlikely. Buenos Aires is separated from Dhaka or Thiruvananthapuram by almost 16,000 kilometers. They share minimal history, language, or cultural commonalities.
Nevertheless, every four years, numerous households throughout India and Bangladesh transform into temporary Argentine enclaves. Streets are adorned with blue-and-white flags, children paint their faces, and communities gather to offer prayers for Diego Maradona, and now Lionel Messi.
A supporter of Argentina was seen on a traditional fishing boat, looking towards the Vizhinjam International Sea Port and a large cutout of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, July 12, 2026. This coastal village, renowned for its passion for football, erupted in festivities after defending champion Argentina’s win secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals.
This bond has persisted across multiple generations.
For numerous fans, the journey started with Diego Maradona’s iconic performance against England in the summer of 1986, elevating football to legendary status. A subsequent generation discovered this passion through Messi, whose extraordinary talent effortlessly reached television screens in homes where sleep was readily forgone for games broadcast from faraway time zones.
Inside the stadium, a father and son from Varanasi were present. Vipul, who manages an export business, was a young man when Maradona led Argentina to victory in Mexico.
Like millions throughout the subcontinent, he was captivated by the number 10 in the sky-blue jersey, and four decades ago, he sought out a low-cost replica of the renowned shirt in Delhi’s Sarojini Market. Though the jersey has now faded and his hair has greyed, his devotion endures.
Football enthusiasts take a selfie next to a mural depicting Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, in Kolkata on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
“Television was still a novelty in India back then and the 1986 World Cup was perhaps the first time when all of us watched live international football. It almost felt like Maradona was fighting against the entire world and winning. You had to be bewitched by his genius,” Vipul said.
For his son, Anmol, Argentina is synonymous with Messi. His footballing recollections include the tears of 2014, the Copa America setbacks, the triumph in 2021, and ultimately, the victory in Qatar in 2022.
Currently employed in the United States, he convinced his father to travel to Atlanta to cheer for their beloved team. Together, they witnessed Argentina defeat England to advance to another World Cup final.
Their next destination is New Jersey, where they hope to see Messi hoist another World Cup trophy.
Joy Uthuppu, from Koovapady, East Cheranallore, Kerala, is a passionate admirer of Messi and Argentina, having adorned his house in the national flag’s colors.
Football provides a unique avenue for fathers and sons to share a common passion, albeit through distinct heroes. Numerous individuals from Dhaka, Chittagong, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kochi have undertaken similar journeys to support the blue-and-white team in the United States.
Rupak Saha, dressed in the blue-and-gold of his cherished East Bengal club, was in Atlanta vociferously cheering for Messi. “We want Messi to give us another World Cup. We are all here for him,” he stated.
The extent of this devotion even astonishes those within the team’s dressing room. Prior to the semifinal, a Bangladeshi journalist questioned Lionel Scaloni regarding the remarkable support Argentina enjoys in Bangladesh.
A football enthusiast executes a ‘rainbow flick’ near murals of renowned footballers, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil’s Neymar and Raphinha, Croatia’s Luka Modric, and England’s Jude Bellingham, during festivities for Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s 39th birthday amidst the FIFA World Cup 2026, in Kolkata, West Bengal, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
He acknowledged that his players continue to be amazed that individuals on the opposite side of the globe commemorate victories with the same fervor as families in Argentina.
“They are surprised,” Scaloni said. “Thrilled that a country on the other end of the world supports us, loves us and feels proud wearing our blue-and-white stripes.”
This might be the highest praise any national team could ever be given.
Throughout this tournament, Argentina has also drawn criticism. Opposing teams have disputed refereeing calls, social media has been rife with allegations of preferential treatment, and incidents like the display of a Falklands banner and frequent clashes with referees and adversaries have sparked debates.
Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso holds a banner proclaiming “The Malvinas are Argentine,” referencing the Falkland Islands, as his teammate Nicolas Otamendi gestures towards him, following the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Despite this, these controversies have done little to diminish Argentina’s worldwide appeal.
Within stadiums throughout this World Cup, neutral spectators frequently appear to lean distinctly in favor of Argentina. Each touch by Messi continues to elicit a collective gasp. Every comeback is cheered by fans who do not hold Argentine passports. And among these neutral observers, South Asians are notably prominent.
This might be because Argentina has consistently provided more than just wins. Its style of football has embodied both romance and hardship in equal parts.
The team has given rise to imperfect heroes, incredible dribbles, magnificent defeats, and memorable redemption stories. Maradona empowered millions to believe that sheer genius could triumph over might. Messi demonstrated that unwavering perseverance could ultimately conquer disappointment.
For innumerable fans in India and Bangladesh, these narratives are profoundly personal, unaffected by the vast oceans separating them.
As Atlanta’s crowds dispersed into the warm Georgia night, Argentine melodies once more resonated through the thoroughfares. Some of these voices belonged to individuals heading back to Buenos Aires. Others would soon embark on their return trips to Dhaka, Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai, Delhi, or Varanasi.
