FIFA inspo: Pune’s football fans lace up and get ready to play

fThe FIFA World Cup may be taking place thousands of kilometres away, but on football turfs across Pune, the excitement feels much closer to home.

From Wanowrie and Viman Nagar to Koregaon Park and Balewadi, football enthusiasts are spending their nights following matches and their mornings recreating them on local pitches.

The result is not just fuller turfs or more football conversations, but a renewed sense of community among players brought together by a shared love for the sport.

For many football fans in Pune, the World Cup is more than a tournament to watch.

It is an event that changes routines, sparks conversations and inspires people to get back on the field. "After watching a game, you just get the itch to be on the pitch," says Sunny Kamthe, a finance professional who has doubled his playing frequency during the tournament.

He and his friends recently organised a "World Cup Night" friendly match where teams represented countries still in the competition, with the losing side treating everyone to post-match chai and vada pav.

The excitement does not end when the final whistle blows on television.

Kamthe recalls watching a knockout match that stretched late into the night before meeting friends for an early-morning kickabout. "You try to copy a move you just saw, miss badly, and still feel hyped.

It's that adrenaline hangover," he says.

Across the city, similar stories are playing out Ashley Dias, an IT professional who usually plays football once a week, says he has been finding time for additional games whenever possible since the FIFA World Cup 2026 begam.

He has also noticed football turfs becoming increasingly difficult to book, particularly during evenings and weekends. "The atmosphere feels much more vibrant and competitive during the World Cup," he says. "There is a noticeable increase in participation, more discussions about teams and players, and an overall excitement that makes every game feel special." Many football groups are finding creative ways to bring the World Cup experience onto local pitches.

Informal tournaments, themed friendlies and jersey nights have become increasingly common.

Friends divide themselves into teams representing different countries, wear national team colours and engage in friendly banter inspired by the tournament.

Leslie Das, another IT professional, recently participated in a friendly tournament where players represented countries still compering in the World Cup."It wasn't anything formal, but it brought everyone together and made us feel more connected to the event," he says.

The impact extends beyond regular players.

Several football enthusiasts interviewed for this story said they have noticed former players returning to the sport and newcomers joining games after being inspired by what they have seen during the tournament or heard from the people around them.

Rajesh Nair, an HR professional and Brazil supporter, says some of his friends who had stopped playing football have suddenly rediscovered their interest in the game. "The tournament acts as a reminder of how enjoyable football can be," he says. "We've even had complete beginners join casual games because they got excited watching the matches and wanted to experience the sport firsthand." The World Cup's influence can also be seen in the way people approach their own games.

Discussions about tactics, formations and teamwork, once reserved for television analysis, are now finding their way into weekend football sessions.

Chris George, a marketing professional supporting Argentina, says his group often tries to replicate elements of the professional game. "After watching top international teams, we discuss tactics and try to experiment during our matches," he says. "Whether it's pressing higher up the pitch or making quicker passing decisions, the World Cup inspires us to play with more purpose." The sense of togetherness generated by the tournament may be its most significant impact.

While football fans naturally rally around their favourite national teams, local turfs have become spaces where club loyalties, professions and backgrounds temporarily fade into the background.

IT professionals, finance executives, marketers, students and casual players all find themselves sharing the same pitch, discussing the same matches and celebrating the same moments.

For Sachin Pardeshi, a finance professional, that is what makes the World Cup special. "It creates common talking points, encourages people to play football and helps connect different groups through matches and football-related events," he says.

In a city where work schedules are often demanding and social circles can remain confined to workplaces or neighbourhoods, football offers something variety and opportunity.

The World Cup amplifies that effect, creating opportunities for people to meet, compete and bond over a shared passion.

As the tournament progresses, the packed turfs, extra games and impromptu friendlies suggest that Pune's football community is not content with simply watching the world's biggest sporting spectacle with some of the most elite names to have ever touched the ball.

Instead, many are choosing to participate in their own way.Get the latest lifestyle news and trends.

Download the TOI App.