FIFA World Cup fever still raging in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps

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)