[RADIO STATIC CRACKLING]… If you’re just tuning in, you’ve missed an absolute showdown. With only two minutes left on the clock, the question on everyone’s lips remains, “Can he bring home the trophy?”
For those of us who are not so footie-inclined, the commentators and their quick wit fade in and out of our consciousness, much like the television playing in the other room, and perhaps the most memorable things about the game has nothing to do with the black-and-white ball.
Rather, names come in flashes, evidence of a monoculture that has since faded, and, of course, Shakira performing “Waka Waka” for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
To those who live, breathe, and consume football, these words border on blasphemous.
Football, like many sports, has the ability to bring people together. Whether it is through eagle-eyed spotting of fan club colours or rooting for the same team on the LED screens at a sports bar, a good game can turn strangers into friends and bridge the gap between generations.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, Masala decided to look inwards to our community and interrogate them about all things football.
Which team are you supporting in this World Cup?
My preferred national team is the Netherlands; however, for this year’s tournament I’ll be supporting Portugal. This is due to the opportunity to watch two of my favorite midfielders, Vitinha and João Neves, playing together.
Despite not having any national teams in the tournament, why do you think the Thai-Indian community rallies behind the competition?
Because the World Cup is a global event, bigger than national teams. Fans gather for the spectacle, to support club players on the international stage, and for the social ritual of watch parties. It’s four years of build-up condensed into one month. It’s hard to ignore.
Has the expansion of club football superseded excitement for the FIFA World Cup?
Club football has more frequency and money, especially with the Champions League and expanded Club World Cup. But the World Cup still holds the edge on meaning and reach. Nothing matches national pride every four years. It’s not replaced, just more crowded.
With the games being held in the US and broadcasted during early morning timing, do you think the sense of group watching will exist, and how are you going about watching it?
Yes, but it changes. Weekend games become 9 AM watch parties at cafes and bars. Weekday games go to highlights and replays for most. The hardcore will still meet up; others will make it a social media and group chat event.
What team are you rooting for, and who is your favorite player?
This is the first year I’m supporting Portugal, and my favourite player on the team is Bruno Fernandes. In the past, I always supported England. However, there are very few Manchester United players making the England squad this year, so I chose to support Portugal instead.
Neither Thailand nor India qualified for FIFA. Despite this, why do you think the community bands together when tournaments take place?
It’s probably because it’s the number one sport in the world. To be frank, if you don’t watch the World Cup, you’re kinda really out of the loop and might find it difficult to join conversations day-to-day, especially at social gatherings.
Which national team is being wildly overhyped right now?
I gotta say Brazil, even though they have a great legacy behind them. See, whilst their forwards are good right now, their defence is not quite there yet. Their players do not look that strong at the back. Players like Alex Sandro and Thiago Silva are still being named in the 50-man squad, so I do not think Brazil’s defence will make it through this year.
Given the early-morning broadcasts, how are you planning on tuning in?
I’ll definitely be watching, most likely just at home. Even if I have work or need to go somewhere in the morning, I can watch it anywhere because it’s so convenient now to stream the matches online.
It might be a different vibe watching football in the morning, because in Thailand we’re used to watching the matches late at night.
Which player do you think will be the overall top goal-scorer of the tournament?
Lautaro Martínez from Argentina. He’s somewhat of an underdog because of his age, so I don’t think many people will choose him, but I think he’s a player to look out for.
How do you think people select their favorite teams? Is it through family bias, peer pressure, or personal inclination?
These days, people tend to just go for teams that perform well.
When we were younger, there was more family pressure. For example, if your father liked a certain team, you would like that same team.
Nowadays, I think things are a little bit different. People don’t really stick to one team. They tend to go for teams that perform well. And the next year, if another team does better, they’ll switch.
Has modern club football overshadowed the World Cup experience?
Yeah, I would say it has. I mean, people are more locked into club football than national teams. And the reason I think people are not as excited for the FIFA World Cup this time might be because it’s in the USA. If it were in Asia or in Europe, I think there would be more hype.
With the World Cup airing at odd hours, will watch parties survive or will it become a more solo experience?
The timing will make it somewhat difficult for people in Thailand to tune in.
Group watching will definitely be less, because it’ll mostly be early mornings. Usually, when you watch football at night, it’s at a pub and comes with drinks and a lively atmosphere.
I don’t think people will be drinking in the morning... For myself, I’ll have to pick and choose which ones I want to watch since I can’t watch them all.
What team are you rooting for?
Portugal because I’ve been a Cristiano Ronaldo fan since I learned about football.
Which player do you think will be the overall top goal-scorer of the tournament?
Even though I’m rooting for Ronaldo to win, I think the overall top goal-scorer is going to be a member of France’s team. They have a lot of rising stars and strong players.
Which football fanbase is “doing too much”?
Hmm… that’s hard to say, but if I had to answer, probably Argentina. They won the Cup in 2022 and showed some attitude to the opposing team’s players.
From the stance of a young football fanatic, what does a winning team look like to you?
I think a winning team is one where each player thoroughly understands their role, trusts each team member, and from their positions, gives each game 100 percent.