• Iran fans on tenterhooks at Shiroodi stadium as they watch their team's match against the US on TV. Reuters
    Iran fans on tenterhooks at Shiroodi stadium as they watch their team's match against the US on TV. Reuters
  • Palestinians on the streets of Gaza City watch a live broadcast of South Korea v Ghana. AP Photo
    Palestinians on the streets of Gaza City watch a live broadcast of South Korea v Ghana. AP Photo
  • Senegal fans try to get the best view as they watch their team take on Ecuador, from a fan zone in Dakar. AP Photo
    Senegal fans try to get the best view as they watch their team take on Ecuador, from a fan zone in Dakar. AP Photo
  • Fans in Dhaka, Bangladesh, take in the action on a big screen as Brazil play Switzerland. AFP
    Fans in Dhaka, Bangladesh, take in the action on a big screen as Brazil play Switzerland. AFP
  • A phone allows this fan to watch Tunisia v France outside the Education City Stadium in Qatar. Reuters
    A phone allows this fan to watch Tunisia v France outside the Education City Stadium in Qatar. Reuters
  • Carlos Junior, centre, is deaf and blind but his friends in Sao Paulo state give him a blow-by-blow account of Brazil v Switzerland. AP Photo
    Carlos Junior, centre, is deaf and blind but his friends in Sao Paulo state give him a blow-by-blow account of Brazil v Switzerland. AP Photo
  • Uruguay fans watch the match between Portugal and their team on a big screen in Montevideo. Reuters
    Uruguay fans watch the match between Portugal and their team on a big screen in Montevideo. Reuters
  • Fans see Brazil take on Switzerland on screens near the museum of the Future in Dubai. AFP
    Fans see Brazil take on Switzerland on screens near the museum of the Future in Dubai. AFP
  • High emotion in Seoul, South Korea, as fans watch their team play Ghana. AP Photo
    High emotion in Seoul, South Korea, as fans watch their team play Ghana. AP Photo
  • A TV fixed to a lamppost allows fans in Manaus to watch Brazil's match against Serbia. EPA
    A TV fixed to a lamppost allows fans in Manaus to watch Brazil's match against Serbia. EPA
  • An electrical shop worker in Doha finds time to see Poland v Argentina. Reuters
    An electrical shop worker in Doha finds time to see Poland v Argentina. Reuters
  • A queue to watch the World Cup at an electronics shop in Sanaa, Yemen. Reuters
    A queue to watch the World Cup at an electronics shop in Sanaa, Yemen. Reuters
  • Mothers and children watch Brazil v Switzerland at a club run by a Sudanese women's rights group in Khartoum. Reuters
    Mothers and children watch Brazil v Switzerland at a club run by a Sudanese women's rights group in Khartoum. Reuters
  • At a cafe in Baghdad, Iraqi fans watch Iran play the USA. EPA
    At a cafe in Baghdad, Iraqi fans watch Iran play the USA. EPA
  • The homeless in Sao Paulo see Brazil take on Switzerland on TV. AFP
    The homeless in Sao Paulo see Brazil take on Switzerland on TV. AFP
  • Israeli customers watch Iran play the US, at a restaurant near Tel Aviv. Most are Jews of Iranian descent and some held posters in solidarity with protesters in Iran. AP Photo
    Israeli customers watch Iran play the US, at a restaurant near Tel Aviv. Most are Jews of Iranian descent and some held posters in solidarity with protesters in Iran. AP Photo
  • Iranians in Mumbai watch Iran v USA. EPA
    Iranians in Mumbai watch Iran v USA. EPA
  • Lebanese fans of Iran smoke water pipes as they watch the game against the USA at a Beirut coffee shop in a Hezbollah stronghold. AP Photo
    Lebanese fans of Iran smoke water pipes as they watch the game against the USA at a Beirut coffee shop in a Hezbollah stronghold. AP Photo
  • Yemeni fans paid to get into this hall in Sanaa to see Saudi Arabia v Poland. EPA
    Yemeni fans paid to get into this hall in Sanaa to see Saudi Arabia v Poland. EPA

World Cup

For the love of the game: Fans watch the World Cup around the globe - in pictures

From street corners in Gaza to stadiums in Dhaka, followers of the beautiful game find a way to support their teams

The National

December 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Football really is the world's game.

Many nations never realistically have a chance to take part in the World Cup finals every four years. Despite that, football fans from cricketing giants such as India and Bangladesh follow the action with as much passion as those in Europe - and in their tens of thousands.

And for every fan from football-mad countries in South America, there's someone tuning in and cheering on their favourite player or nation from the Mena region, South East Asia and beyond.

Take a look at the gallery above of supporters glued to their screens during the World Cup.

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Updated: December 02, 2022, 11:53 AM
World Cup