Calcutta prepares for World Cup final with live screenings

By Arjun Nair / 19.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

Mumbai readies for late-night football

As the World Cup final approaches, football enthusiasts in Mumbai are making special arrangements to watch the match, which is scheduled to kick off close to midnight on Sunday. With many pubs and restaurants closing earlier, residents are transforming their homes into dedicated fan zones to catch the action, which is expected to extend past 3 AM.

The ritual across many Mumbai households involves setting up a large screen and a loud television, surrounded by friends and family, to ensure no one misses the significant match. For instance, Mithun Dasgupta, a finance professional from Vikhroli, upgraded his television specifically for the event, planning to watch with his son and friends.

Others, like Tanukripa Pal, an educator from Andheri (E), are hosting house parties where guests plan to wear their favourite team colours. The aim is to replicate the vibrant atmosphere of a stadium, complete with its colours, sounds, and excitement, within their living rooms.

Beyond homes, some workplaces are also serving as impromptu fan zones. Ashish Patil, a media professional in Santacruz, noted that his office in South Mumbai has been hosting viewing parties throughout the knockout rounds. Due to late work shifts, watching matches at the office with colleagues has become a common practice, and the final will be no exception.

Festivities extend beyond the match

The celebrations for the World Cup final are set to begin even before the match itself, with the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony scheduled to start 90 minutes prior to kickoff. This ceremony is expected to feature performances from various artists, including Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Laura Pausini, and Post Malone.

For the first time, the World Cup final will also include a halftime show in the style of the Super Bowl. The lineup for this event includes artists such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Burna Boy. Chris Martin of Coldplay is serving as the creative curator for this halftime spectacle.

In Mumbai, there is considerable support for both competing teams, Spain and Argentina. Rohan Mehta, an entrepreneur hosting a watch party in Bandra, is backing Argentina, hoping to see Lionel Messi lift the trophy in what could be his final World Cup final. However, many of his friends are supporting Spain and Lamine Yamal, creating a friendly rivalry that is anticipated to continue with celebrations or teasing until sunrise.

Similarly, Suman Chakraborty, an art director, plans to watch the final with fellow football fans at a friend’s place. Although a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Chakraborty will be supporting Spain for the final, having enjoyed watching Marc Cucurella throughout the tournament.

West Bengal government organises public screenings

In West Bengal, the government is making extensive preparations to allow football enthusiasts to watch the FIFA World Cup final. The Youth Services and Sports Department is coordinating arrangements for live screenings on large screens at various key locations across districts.

An official notification from the Additional Chief Secretary of Youth Services and Sports department, Rajesh Pandey, confirmed that all district administrations have been instructed to set up screening facilities. Each district has been allocated ₹1 lakh for this purpose.

The venues for these screenings are expected to be decorated with flags and other football-themed elements to enhance the festive atmosphere. There are also plans to invite former players and public figures to attend these public screenings, according to a bureaucrat.

These initiatives aim to bring the excitement of the World Cup final to a wider audience, ensuring that communities across West Bengal can collectively experience the culmination of the tournament.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com