By Sejuti Mumu

Football is a game, but for many supporters, it is also an emotion. When the FIFA World Cup begins, the excitement of the supporters increases significantly. In Bangladesh, not only young people but also children and elderly people become excited about the tournament. Most football supporters in Bangladesh are divided into two groups. Some support Brazil, while others support Argentina. A month before the FIFA World Cup, the excitement reaches a new level. Many supporters hang the flags of their favorite teams on rooftops and terraces. Many also organize joyful rallies. Friendly debates among supporters of different teams are common. As long as these debates remain fun and respectful, they are enjoyable. However, in Bangladesh, supporters of different teams sometimes become involved in serious conflicts. Many people have been injured in such incidents. Let us look at some recent examples.

1.In December 2022, a clash between Argentina and Brazil supporters in Habiganj resulted in one death.
2.On 3 June 2026, supporters of Argentina and Brazil became involved in a violent clash in Kashipur village of Habiganj, Bangladesh, leaving dozens of people injured.

There have been many other similar incidents. However, sports are supposed to teach us sympathy, respect, and harmony. Instead, people are getting injured because of unnecessary conflicts. Ironically, the players of rival teams are often good friends in real life. For example, the famous Brazilian player Neymar and the Argentine star Lionel Messi have enjoyed a friendly relationship for many years. Yet some of their supporters become involved in pointless conflicts.It is high time that we discussed the reasons behind these conflicts.

1.Victory celebrations after a match

When one side wins, celebrations can sometimes provoke supporters of the losing side, leading to arguments and fights. For example, the 2026 Habiganj clash reportedly began after Argentina supporters celebrated their team's victory.

2.Arguments over which team is better

Supporters often engage in heated debates about players, records, and team performance. In some cases, these arguments become personal and lead to violence.

3.Mocking or taunting rival supporters

Teasing supporters after a victory or after a rival team's defeat can increase tension and provoke conflicts.

4.Social media disputes spilling into real life

Arguments on Facebook and other social media platforms can intensify rivalries. Online disputes sometimes continue offline and result in physical confrontations.

5.Retaliation after an earlier quarrel

A small disagreement may appear to be settled, but later one group may seek revenge, causing a larger conflict. For example, in Brahmanbaria in 2021, an argument over the Copa América tournament escalated into retaliatory attacks between supporters of Argentina and Brazil.

These incidents are unfortunate and disappointing. We need to stop such behavior and learn the true values of sportsmanship and harmony. These conflicts damage our image and reputation. For the sake of our country's image and for the well-being of society, we should put an end to these unnecessary and childish conflicts.

The writer is a student in the Department of Bangla at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.