Kochi: If Malabar region is the undisputed football capital of Kerala, Karukappilly is fast turning out to be its counterpart in Kochi. Taking a ride from Deshabhimani Junction towards Karukappilly feels like being teleported straight into a football carnival. The entire locality is decked out in vibrant colours, with Argentinian blue, Brazilian yellow and Portuguese red dominating the streets. Amid the sea of favourites, defiance stands tall as fans also erected striking flex boards for France, England, Germany, Uruguay and so on.
“Here, most people support Brazil, Argentina and Portugal, but I am a hardcore Germany fan,” Shukoor said, pointing to a massive flex board installed outside the makeshift hall setup to screen World Cup matches in Karukappilly. To prove his loyalty, Shukoor used AI to create a custom poster featuring himself flanked by German football team, all dressed in traditional Kerala mundus. “Me and my boys are double strong this year,” Shukoor captioned his unique creation.
Ahead of the inaugural match, fans even held a rally through Karukappilly, waving the flags of their favourite teams while youngsters dressed in jerseys danced in the streets like samba dancers in Rio. Shukoor explained that DRKK (Deshabhimani Road Karukappilly Kootayma), a local collective, set up the giant screen so that anyone wishing to watch the matches could experience a stadium-like atmosphere. Other local clubs in the region have set up screenings of their own.
As Shukoor was showing off his German loyalty, Alap K, a Kannur native working as a driver in Kochi, walked into the hall with barely minutes left before kick-off. “Are you a German fan, bro?” Alap asked before stepping forward to embrace him. He came to Karukappilly just to watch the match and was visibly relieved to find a fellow German supporter in a sea of rival jerseys.
Soon, children dressed in jerseys bearing the names of Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho flooded the hall. Despite the match on screen being a neutral clash between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the venue was quickly packed to capacity. The young fans stayed wide awake late into the night, their collective sighs of disappointment and roaring cheers reverberating across the arena both times the net shook.
As the match progressed, Edwin, an eighth-standard student, arrived at the arena flanked by his parents, Meera and Mohan. It was evident the boy had dragged them along to show off the local spectacle. “I am not much of a football fan, but my son wanted to come, and I wanted to see if it was safe to send him here,” Meera said. Edwin, an ardent Brazil fan, was on a mission to secure his parents’ approval to return when Canarinhas take on Morocco early on Sunday morning.
With the tournament only just getting under way, the energy in the air is palpable. For the fans, this is more than just a tournament — it is a monthlong celebration of passion, community and loyalty. One thing is certain: Karukappilly will remain sleepless until the final, when local fans desperately hope to see one of their three icons lift the cup in what promises to be their ultimate last dance.
