While footballers are required to be born in a country or have familial ties to represent that nation in the World Cup, this limitation does not extend to fans. Many supporters find themselves drawn to specific teams, players, or nations for a variety of compelling reasons. Here, six fans recount their personal stories about why they chose to align themselves with teams that are not connected to their place of birth.
“It was exciting football and beautiful to watch,”t know any other France fans’
Paul, 63, from Sheffield, embarked on his journey as a supporter of France during the 1982 World Cup when the team made it to the semi-finals. He reflects, “Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse … It wasn’t as exciting again until 1998. I introduced my four-year-old daughter to football. We had lovely summer nights, eating snacks, cheering along and shouting: ‘Allez Les Bleus!’” The talents of players like Michel Platini and Jean Tigana captivated him. He fondly recalls introducing his four-year-old daughter to the sport, enjoying summer evenings filled with snacks and rooting for Les Bleus.
“I don’t know any other France fans. There have been incidents in the past, particularly during the 2004 Euros. At work everybody put a team flag on their computer. I had a France flag and everybody was laughing. France played England in an early game and England were winning 1-0 in the 90th minute, but France won 2-1. The next day, my manager took me aside and said: ‘We’re just sorting out your workstation’. Someone had absolutely demolished it. I wasn’t that bothered.” he confesses. He reminisces about a moment during the 2004 Euros when he faced mockery at work for displaying a French flag at his desk. “Since Didier Deschamps has been onboard it has been fantastic. Michael Olise is a joy to watch. I feel a brotherhood with him. Everybody thinks you should support or play for England because you’re born in England. Nope.”
Paul, who has never regretted his choice, expresses his admiration for the current French squad. “I’m from a very small industrial town in Rajasthan,”
Porus Patwari Jain, 31, began following the Premier League at the tender age of 11. “There was no football culture there, but there are many people my age who now follow football more actively.” he shares. “Portugal became my chosen team in World Cups,”
His loyalty lies with Manchester United, especially during Cristiano Ronaldo’s era. “I started with Ronaldo, but stayed for Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Pepe and Simão. That team had so much passion and grit. They were not a footballing powerhouse at that time, so the story of a small footballing nation fighting against all odds resonated with me.” he explains. “so many moments of distress”
Reflecting on his experiences, Porus adds, “and I wouldn’t change it for anything else” He recalls their recent defeat to Spain, stating, “Ronaldo has played his last World Cup match and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, they will give me the ultimate heartbreak someday, and end up losing on penalties in the World Cup final.”
‘Staying up to watch was a big deal’
Iulia, 43, originally from Romania and now residing in Hungary, has supported Argentina since the 1994 World Cup. She even spotted the team walking through Budapest last year. “I cannot be sure Lionel Messi was among them but I like to believe so,” she says.
Her affection for Argentina was sparked by a memorable match where Romania faced Argentina. “I was 11 and it was a big deal that my parents allowed me to stay up to watch,” she remembers. Romania stunned Argentina with a 3-2 victory in the last-16 stage. After witnessing Romania’s triumph, she believed they were destined for greatness.
In her “young, impressionable mind” Iulia thought she was supporting an underdog, convinced Romania would someday become a football powerhouse. While Romania never reached that status, she remained loyal to Argentina and celebrated their 2022 World Cup victory.
‘The US team was never very good’
“The US team was never very good when I was growing up. I’ve never felt strongly as an American as I was raised to be proud of my Cuban heritage. Cuba is more of a baseball nation. I grew up around a lot of Argentinian friends and family, so naturally became a fan of Argentina. Everyone was so passionate watching them play.” remarks Rachel Fiegler, 38, from New York. “I loved watching Diego Godín, Luis Suárez and all those guys. It was definitely rough to watch Uruguay at this tournament.”
During the 2010 World Cup, Rachel found herself cheering for Uruguay. “They’re a huge team full of passionate and talented athletes. They really care. I never got that feeling from the men’s team.” she notes. ‘What they went through resonated with me’
Nonetheless, she supports the US women’s team. “Beyond the club link, the story of Dzeko’s childhood really hit home,”
“I like to root for the underdog and I don’t think there’s any bigger underdog than a group of people who survived something so tragic,”
Oliver, 32, from Jersey, became invested in Bosnia and Herzegovina after watching Edin Dzeko help Manchester City clinch the Premier League title in 2012. “I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the place as much as I did. I adored Sarajevo. It’s beautiful. It’s where east meets west. You can stand in the spot where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Being a history major, it was weirdly a bucket list destination for me.” he explains. Dzeko experienced the siege of Sarajevo as a child, confined to his family’s apartment for four years. “None of my friends could understand my jubilation,” he adds.
Oliver had the chance to visit Bosnia last year. “To qualify for the last-32 stage was an achievement in itself, but this is only the beginning.” Following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s qualification for the World Cup earlier this year, he felt immense joy. ‘Football cuts across all classes in Kolkata’ he recalls. “Kolkata is a football-mad city,”
“Rivalries are drawn between neighbourhoods in Kolkata – you are either Brazil or Argentina.”
“At school the next day everybody was talking about it,” states Angi, 35, who spent the first 20 years of his life in India before moving to Toronto. As India has never qualified for the World Cup, football fans select other teams to support. “We all wanted to know what happened to Ronaldo and Brazil.”
Angi grew up in a family of Brazil supporters, who watched in dismay as their team lost to France 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final. “Small neighbourhoods had huge Brazil flags and everybody was watching the game on small screens. Football cuts across all classes in Kolkata. Everyone is watching, dressed in unofficial Brazil tops.” he recalls. “Kolkata and adjoining cities in Bangladesh come alive during the World Cup. I may never be a Brazilian but I will always support the Seleção.”
When Angi was 12, he witnessed Brazil triumph over Germany in the World Cup final, with Ronaldo scoring both goals. “Small neighbourhoods had huge Brazil flags, and everyone was watching the game on small screens. Football cuts across all classes in Kolkata. Everyone is watching, dressed in unofficial Brazil tops.”
Although Angi doubts India will ever participate in the World Cup during his lifetime, he still feels a strong connection to Brazil. “Kolkata and the nearby cities in Bangladesh come alive during the World Cup. I may never be a Brazilian, but I will always support the Seleção.”
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