AMAN VERMA
For generations, football has been more than just a sport in Goa. It is a passion passed down through fam ilies, played out on village grounds and debated endlessly in local cafés. While thousands of Goans are following the FIFA World Cup from home, a dedicat ed band of supporters has travelled thousands of kilometres to America to experience football’s greatest specta cle firsthand. Among them is Margao’s Savio Medeira, whose long-held dream of attending a World Cup has finally be come a reality despite travel disrup tions along the way. “This is my first time at a World Cup. There is nothing more beautiful than the FIFA World Cup,” Medeira said.
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Technical issues during transit brief ly left him stranded en route, but the setback did little to diminish his excite ment. A long-time admirer of Portugal and France, Medeira believes the tour nament offers a unique opportunity to witness the sport at its highest level. “Goans are naturally inclined to wards Portugal, but ultimately it is the quality of football and the players that attracts everyone,” he said. Also flying the Goan flag at the tour nament are Vasco businessman Angelo Nunes along with Warren Fernandes, Camilo Fernandes, Lionel Nunes and Vincent D’Costa, all well-known fac es in Goa’s football circles and ardent supporters of FC Goa. For the group, the trip has been about far more than the matches themselves.
Packed stadiums, vibrant fan zones and supporters from every corner of the globe have transformed the tournament into a celebration that extends well be yond the pitch. Their presence has attracted attention back home, with photo graphs and videos of the group proudly representing Goa circulating widely on social media. Another familiar face from Goa’s football fraternity making the rounds across North America is Derick Pereira. Currently in Toronto, Pereira plans to travel to New York, San Diego and other host cities as the tournament progresses. “This is my second World Cup. The first was in Qatar. We went there as a group of football-loving friends and it was a fantastic experience. As long as I can, and as long as it remains affordable, I would love to keep attending World Cups,” Pereira said. Having completed his group-stage itinerary, Pereira is now waiting for the knockout rounds before deciding which matches to attend. “The group stage is over for me. I am waiting to see which teams qualify for the knockout rounds before buying tickets. I would love to watch teams such as Brazil, Portugal, England, Germany and Spain if they progress,” he said. Like many Goans, Pereira’s loyalties are shaped both by footballing tradition and admiration for the game’s biggest stars. “Of course, I would want Portugal to win because of Ronaldo. Along with Por tugal, I think Brazil, Argentina and England can go very far in this tournament. So far, England and Argentina have looked very aggressive and entertaining,” he observed. Describing the atmosphere across the host nations, Pereira said: “The whole of North America is in a World Cup festival mode right now. Fans from different countries are travelling everywhere, and it is a great experience to be part of it.” Providing a broader perspective is Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes, who is attending his fourth FIFA World Cup after previously witness ing the tournaments in Brazil, Russia and Qatar. “The World Cup is the biggest football festival in the world.
Every edition of fers a unique experience, and this one has been fantastic so far,” Fernandes said. Having attended several matches, Fernandes highlighted the scale of the event and the enthusiasm generated by supporters from around the world. “Fans from different countries come together to celebrate football. The atmos phere has been fantastic and everyone is enjoying the experience,” he observed. According to Fernandes, attendances at several matches have ranged between 65,000 and 80,000 spectators, while Indian supporters have been visible across numerous venues. “Everybody is happy and enjoying the World Cup. It is a wonderful experience to be here and witness it all firsthand,” he added. Though their journeys, experiences and reasons for travelling may differ, the Goans following the World Cup in North America share a common passion and a deep bond between Goa and football.
