India did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and neither did any South Asian national team. Yet, in the United States, millions of Indian fans at FIFA 2026 are among the most passionate viewers. The reason is simple: in Kerala, West Bengal, and several other parts of India, football has traditionally been loved even more than cricket.
Argentina has an enormous fan base across India, built over decades and strengthened by Lionel Messi’s presence in the sport. For many Indian fans supporting Argentina is a long-standing attachment to a style of play and a generation of players. Messi, their hero, has inspired countless young footballers who grew up dreaming of playing like him.
In 2012, businessman Bobby Chemmanur brought Diego Maradona to Kerala, a gesture that football fans in the state still remember with gratitude.
Whenever the FIFA World Cup comes around, districts such as Malappuram, Kannur, and Kozhikode transform into football carnival grounds. Giant cut-outs of Neymar, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo line the streets, while local clubs passionately support teams such as Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal. There are also large numbers of supporters for Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.
Football has long been Kerala’s first sporting love, well ahead of cricket. Cricket became significantly more popular only after several Keralites earned places in the Indian national team, with Sanju Samson being the latest star. Interestingly, Samson himself is a football enthusiast. He is the co-owner of Malappuram FC, has served as an official brand ambassador for the English Premier League in India, and was previously the brand ambassador for Kerala Blasters FC.
The support for Argentina in Kerala is so remarkable that after Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the official X account of the Argentine national football team thanked Kerala for its unwavering support.
A recent story from Kerala during the 2026 FIFA World Cup captured this passion perfectly. Recently when some Argentine tourists hired an auto-rickshaw, the driver discovered during the journey that his passenger was from Argentina. Being a die-hard Argentina supporter, the driver refused to accept the fare.
Football also shares similarities with Kerala’s traditional games, such as Thalapanthukali and Nadan Panthu Kali. The balls were made from natural materials like coconut fibre and banana stems. In Malayalam, panthu simply means “ball.”
You can also read our previous articles, Olympics Rio 2016 and Cheer Up for Participants at Rio Olympic 2016.
It is therefore no surprise that Indians carry their love for football wherever they migrate. For many Indian-Americans, this tournament is also a rare opportunity to watch their football heroes play live. With Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and other global stars reaching the latter stages of the competition, fans are witnessing their dream moments. At the same time, a new superstar appears to be emerging in Spain’s Lamine Yamal. He idolised Mbappé, Ronaldinho, and Messi while in his childhood.
Meanwhile, football fans back in Kerala will continue gathering around giant outdoor screens to cheer for their favourite teams. While still hoping that one day their football Icon, Lionel Messi, will finally set foot on Kerala’s soil.
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