SHILLONG, July 7: For football lovers in Meghalaya, the FIFA World Cup is more than a tournament—it is a celebration that arrives once every four years, bringing families, friends and entire neighbourhoods together.
This year’s edition, being played across North America, has forced fans to stay awake through the night because of the time difference, but few are complaining. Across the state, people are happily sacrificing sleep, adjusting work schedules and planning their days around kick-off times for the chance to watch football’s biggest spectacle live.
Shillong Lajong Football Club owner Larsing M. Sawyan says the disruption to daily life is simply part of the experience. “The World Cup comes only once every four years. Missing a little sleep is a small price to pay,” he said.
A traditional Brazil supporter, Sawyan has also developed admiration for Spain and France because of their style of play, while admitting that Lionel Messi has given him a soft corner for Argentina. According to him, no sporting event matches the excitement generated by the FIFA World Cup in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) president Hamletson Dohling agrees that the tournament has changed the routine of football fans, especially with matches beginning late at night and continuing into the early hours of the morning. “Watching the world’s best players live is worth every sleepless night,” Dohling said.
He believes Argentina and England are among the strongest contenders for the title and described Argentina’s clash against Cabo Verde as the best match of the tournament so far. He also praised the state government’s Football Fan Park at Polo for giving supporters a common venue to experience the World Cup together.
Award-winning Khasi filmmaker Pradip Kurbah says his profession has prepared him well for the late nights. “My body clock now revolves around World Cup timings,” he joked.
Kurbah enjoys watching matches quietly at home, analysing tactics, movement and the flow of play as much as the final result. A lifelong Argentina supporter, he says the team’s fighting spirit continues to inspire him. For him, Sidny Lopes Cabral’s spectacular strike for Cabo Verde against Argentina has been the goal of the tournament.
For 70-year-old Francis Betkupar Sawian of Laitumkhrah, retirement has made it easier to adapt to the unusual schedule, though it has completely changed his sleeping pattern. “I sleep and wake up exactly when the matches begin. Whatever sleep I lose at night, I make up for with naps during the day,” he said.
Sawian says he does not remain awake throughout the night but sleeps immediately after the final whistle. His favourite match so far has been Argentina versus Cabo Verde, a contest he believes showcased the drama that makes the World Cup unique.
A different balancing act awaits 24-year-old Sandra Wilin SK Marak of Jail Road, who has managed to combine football with her office responsibilities. Having watched nine matches so far, Sandra says careful planning has allowed her to enjoy the tournament without affecting her work. “For the late-night matches, I take a short nap first and wake up just before kick-off,” she said.
Sandra believes the biggest surprise of the tournament has been Cabo Verde. Although she is backing France to win the title, she says the African nation has earned the admiration of football fans everywhere. “In my heart, Cabo Verde won the World Cup. It took something extraordinary to stop them,” she remarked.
For many families, football has become a reason to spend time together. Steffie Grace Thubru says the World Cup transforms ordinary evenings into family gatherings where everyone forgets their daily worries. “During the club season we support different teams, but when the World Cup begins, we all gather in front of the television,” she said.
She believes football is deeply woven into Meghalaya’s identity and that the excitement can be seen across Shillong through colourful jerseys, flags and discussions in cafés and street corners.
For Ridashisha Kharsyiemiong, a student from Madanriting and an ardent supporter of France, the challenge has been balancing studies with football. “Assignments come first, then it’s time for France,” she said with a smile.
She often watches matches with her family, describing the World Cup as an occasion that brings everyone under one roof. Her dream final would feature France against Argentina, rekindling one of modern football’s greatest rivalries.
Meanwhile, Roger K. Sangma of Lawmali Pyllun believes the story of this World Cup has been the emergence of underdog nations. “Teams like Cabo Verde have shown that determination can challenge football’s biggest powers,” he said.
According to Sangma, such performances should inspire India to dream of qualifying for a future FIFA World Cup through better planning, stronger administration and long-term investment in football.
Others have adopted different strategies to cope with the demanding schedule. Football enthusiast and entrepreneur Nikita Sawian says flexible working hours have allowed her to watch almost every match without much difficulty. “Nothing compares to the thrill of watching a match live,” she said.
For Bamanbha Kharshiing of Laban, however, the World Cup has meant some difficult mornings. “There is definitely a temporary lifestyle change, and some days the lack of sleep catches up with me at work,” he admitted.
Despite the fatigue, he says the excitement of the tournament outweighs the inconvenience.
Banroibha Shisha Kharsyntiew, a 25-year-old Sports Management Lecturer from Mawpat, said the World Cup has brought both excitement and sacrifice, with late-night matches affecting his sleep and work routine. However, he said watching the tournament with family has made the experience memorable.
He was particularly impressed by the performances of smaller nations such as Cabo Verde and noted that the tournament’s unpredictability has been one of its biggest highlights. He also described the dramatic matches and the exits of football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as among the most memorable moments of the competition.
Although the experiences of football fans may differ, together they tell the story of a state where football is much more than a game. In Meghalaya, the FIFA World Cup is a month-long festival that transcends age, profession and background.
Whether watching from living rooms, cafés or the Football Fan Park in Shillong, supporters continue to trade sleep for unforgettable nights of football, proving once again that when the World Cup arrives, Meghalaya lives and breathes the beautiful game.
