Kolkata Fans Divide Loyalties between Argentina and Spain on Big Night
Times of India | 20 July 2026
Kolkata: As the city favourites squared up with the dark horses who showed a late burst of brilliance, threatening to halt the blue-and-white brigade’s march to glory, Kolkata split, almost right down the middle, to root for the finalists of FIFA World Cup early on Monday morning. While the Argentina loyalists flocked together at homes, neighbourhood clubs, nightclubs or just stayed tuned to their phones to follow the Argentina-Spain duel, the Brazil, France and Germany supporters switched loyalty to La Roja (the red team, Spain’s nickname) as Sunday evening was spent preparing for the big occasion.
Argentina Fan Club members at Gangulybagan, where all matches played by the Les Albiceleste were beamed live on a giant screen, prepared to host 5,000 people at an open ground. “It will be the D-Day we have all been waiting for. We rooted for Argentina from day one, cheered every move, shouted our lungs out with each Messi goal. Tonight’s the night we have all been waiting for. The ground was cleared this afternoon, the big screen checked, the projector was fine-tuned. It will be a tense 90 minutes or more, at the end of which we will celebrate Argentina’s victory,” said Uttam Saha, one of the organisers of the initiative and club member.
He added that a grand feast awaits Gangulybagan residents once Messi lifts the Cup. “Spain is a strong team, but Argentina now have their tails up after two close victories in which they scored in the last minutes. With Messi around, nothing is impossible,” Saha said.
Travel trade expert Anil Punjabi watched the match with family and friends on a big screen that he installed for the final. “Our entire family was excited and eagerly waited for the match. Even our youngest football fan, aged just five years and nine months, was ready in a jersey and he can’t wait for kick-off. They’ve already got their FIFA football and a goalpost set up, and before the match begins, we’ll all be trying our luck with a friendly game ourselves. We’re looking forward to a thrilling contest and hoping for a memorable performance that gives fans plenty to cheer about,” said Punjabi.
Locals at south Kolkata’s Patuli organised a ‘Football Carnival’ with snacks and dinner before the match started at 12.30 am. Hundreds gathered at the end of a lane, lined with Argentina flags and posters of Messi & Co, where a giant LED screen was put up. There was a separate zone for kids and female spectators. “We are celebrating football and Argentina. We will cheer for Messi, but the idea is to soak in the occasion with everyone taking part. The party will continue throughout the night and it will get wild if Argentina wins,” said Gautam Das, an organiser.
Saikat Das, a north Kolkata resident and an Argentina supporter, predicted a 2-1 win for his team. “We may concede an early goal, but then we will stage a spectacular comeback like we did in the last two matches. We will celebrate with music and food and the party will go on throughout the night,” said Das.
Painter Sanjoy Paul, a Kumartuli resident, has been an Argentina and a Messi fan since childhood. “Since Messi came along, I have idolised him and none else. To me and many of my generation, he has been like a God. I have done a wall painting at our local club as a tribute to my God. I did a similar painting when Argentina won Copa America. Even if Argentina loses tonight, Messi is already a winner. But he won’t. We will win 3-2, with Messi scoring at least once. Mbappe broke our hearts, though, with his two goals against England to snatch the golden boot away from Messi,” added Paul.
Kolkata entrepreneur Pawan Israni, now based in Doha, has a divided house. While Pawan is an Argentina loyalist, his wife Purnima rooted for Spain. “Spain has a great squad, but as long as Messi is on the pitch, Argentina is the favourite. The GOAT always delivers, especially in matches like this final. This is his last dance. And he deserves it,” said Israni. Purnima, however, differed. “Pawan has his loyalty to Messi, but Spain has played beautifully throughout the tournament, as one cohesive unit. The trophy belongs in Madrid. I’m waving the Spanish flag,” she said.
Though outnumbered, Spain had decent support on Sunday night. Baguiati resident Subham Petikam bet on Spain. “Spain have played some of the most beautiful football in this World Cup. I will be joining my friends at a cafe tonight for the match. I want to see a new generation announce themselves on the biggest stage tonight,” he said.
(Inputs from Sayantan Chakrabarty and Rajib Ranjan Thakur)