Karnataka, Assam Accommodate Fans As FIFA World Cup Fever Grips India

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Soccer fever surrounding the FIFA World Cup is drawing fans together across India, with Karnataka extending restaurant operating hours for late-night match screenings and Assam expanding its community fan park initiative as the tournament reaches its decisive knockout stage.

Recognizing the growing enthusiasm among supporters, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru will be allowed to remain open until 3:30 a.m. enabling fans to watch key World Cup matches live.

The matches are being played at times that extend well past midnight in India because of the time difference with the host nation, prompting many fans to stay awake into the early hours to follow the tournament.

Meanwhile, in Assam, the state’s Chief Minister’s FIFA Fan Park initiative has expanded to Lakhimpur after drawing large crowds in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Jorhat.

The Lakhimpur Fan Park, organized by the district administration under the patronage of local MLA Manab Deka, will feature giant screens for live match telecasts, giving supporters a stadium-like atmosphere as they watch the tournament together.

The initiative is expected to attract thousands of fans, including families and young people, who traditionally stay up late to follow the World Cup.

Officials said the expansion reflects the Northeast’s deep-rooted passion for soccer, which enjoys widespread popularity across the region.

Speaking at the event, Deka said the sport occupies a special place in the hearts of people in the Northeast.

“In India, cricket is undoubtedly a religion. But at the same time, in the Northeast, soccer is the heartbeat,” he said, adding that the sport transcends borders, languages and cultures while bringing communities together through a shared passion.