FIFA World Cup fever still raging in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps
The World Cup may be over but passion for the game burns bright in the world's largest refugee camp, where Brazil and Argentina flags still flutter alongside the red and green of Bangladesh, which hosts nearly a million Rohingya Muslims forced out of Myanmar. For many young refugees in Bangladesh's southeast this World Cup was their first, and the excitement of last Sunday's final shows no sign of abating any time soon.
The World Cup may be over but passion for the game burns bright in the world's largest refugee camp, where Brazil and Argentina flags still flutter alongside the red and green of Bangladesh, which hosts nearly a million Rohingya Muslims forced out of Myan
Rohingya boys paraded a miniature replica of the World Cup through the dirt alleyways of the refugee camp, the smallest football fans staring dewy-eyed at the modest golden trophy as if it were the real thing. (Photo | AFP)
Apart from the odd Spanish flag or top European club jersey, football loyalties in the remote but overcrowded Kutupalong camp are mainly divided -- fiercely -- between Brazil and Argentina, mirroring a somewhat peculiar obsession among football fans across Bangladesh. (Photo | AFP)
A Rohingya refugee looks on while displaying replica jerseys of the national football teams of Argentina, Brazil and Portugal at a shop in Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia. (Photo | AFP)
Mohammad Jahangir Alam, a fan of Brazilian footballer Neymar, shows his football skills at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia. (Photo | AFP)
'My favourite was Argentina. I watched the final. It was between Croatia and France, and France won,' said six-year-old Mohammad Reza, proudly sporting the blue-and-white jersey of firm local favourite Lionel Messi. (Photo | AFP)
Dozens of barefoot boys played under threatening monsoon clouds, dodging muddy potholes to shoot at a goal demarcated with twigs. (Photo | AFP)
An errant strike can send a ball soaring into the huts surrounding the pitch, as a referee blew his whistle at older players contesting the main match. (Photo | AFP)
For many young refugees in Bangladesh's southeast this World Cup was their first, and the excitement of last Sunday's final shows no sign of abating any time soon. (Photo | AFP)
