Kochi: The 2022 FIFA World Cup has begun in Qatar, and football supporters are eager to watch the action. Football fans do all kinds of bizarre things to show their enthusiasm for the game, from decorating the streets with cutouts and posters of their favourite players to pre-purchasing pricey tickets. One such tale has come out of Kerala, a state with an unbridled passion for the game.
17 people of Mundakkamugal village in Kerala's Kochi district have reportedly pooled their resources to purchase a house for 23 lakh so that they can all watch FIFA matches at the same time and place. Along with photographs of football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the football friends also decorated the recently purchased home with flags from the 32 World Cup-playing nations. The house features a large-screen television so that they can all watch the game together.
"We planned to do something special for FIFA World Cup 2022. 17 of us purchased a house already on sale for ₹ 23 lakhs & decorated it with flags of FIFA teams. We've also planned to gather together here & watch the match on a big-screen TV," Shefeer PA, one of the buyers said as quoted by news agency ANI.
The group had a special custom of watching football games together before buying the house, and they have been doing it for the last 15 to 20 years. They ultimately made the choice to purchase the home so they could keep meeting there.
"In the future, our next generation can also enjoy this gathering and their unity will continue. We are planning to buy a big TV. We will make arrangements for visitors of all generations to come here and enjoy the game together", Shefeer PA told ANI. The buyers stated that the house will serve as a location for social services, emergency services, and sporting events after the World Cup is over.
From November 20 to December 18, Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup 2022. Today's opening ceremony is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Players from the national teams of 32 nations will participate in a series of elimination matches over the course of the following month, which will conclude on December 18 with the crowning of one national team as the 2022 World Cup Champion.
The Ecuadorian team and the Qatari team will face off in the opening game at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. A Middle Eastern nation will be hosting the FIFA World Cup for the first time.