Kolkata Fan Who Attended 11 World Cups to Watch Brazil-India From Home

Dipak Nandy, 77, has followed 11 World Cups from the stands since 1986, but on Saturday he will watch Brazil face India in Kolkata on television at home.

Across 11 World Cups, Dipak Nandy has travelled the globe to watch football's biggest tournament in person. On Saturday, the spectacle reaches his own city: the 77-year-old Kolkata resident will follow Brazil's friendly against India — the first between the two nations — on television at home.

His obsession began in 1966, when Amal Dutta, a former Indian player and coach, returned to Kolkata from England with film reels of that year's tournament. Young Nandy attended the screenings and was instantly captivated. "I was sitting in one of the screenings and got bitten by the bug — and promised myself that one day I will go watch the World Cup," he said.

Keeping that promise took another two decades. A friend's invitation to Mexico, the 1986 host nation, set things in motion. "At that time a passport needed four to five months for processing — but somehow I got it made in 15 days, and I went for my first World Cup," he recalled. He has attended every edition since, including the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Diego Maradona appeared in seven of the matches Nandy has witnessed, and the Argentine remains his benchmark. "He played unbelievable football and played a lone hand in making Argentina champions," he told AFP. "There will be none like him. I walk out of the room when people compare Pele and Maradona." Among those games was Argentina's 1986 victory over England, sealed by two Maradona goals — one a clear handball, the other a run that began deep in his own half.

The 2006 final in Germany is another fixture he cannot forget. France captain Zinedine Zidane was sent off that night for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi, and Italy went on to claim the title on penalties.

Saturday's occasion carries added meaning for the veteran supporter. Brazil are coached by Carlo Ancelotti, whom Nandy remembers watching turn out for Italy during his playing career. A mural featuring Neymar and Raphinha has already gone up on Kolkata's streets ahead of the friendly, which Nandy will experience from his living room rather than the stands.

Decades of travel have drained his finances, and he is at peace with that. "I will go to every World Cup till I die — health and money permitting," he said. "The amount of money I spent on watching football live, I could have built a huge building, but I don't regret it. Rather, I am proud of it."

His country, the world's most populous, has never qualified for a World Cup and has made only four Olympic appearances, finishing fourth among 11 teams in 1956. Nandy believes structural and climatic factors are to blame. "The countries that have peaked in football have one single culture with good weather," he said, also citing the sport's "weak organisation" in India and cricket's popularity. "India have different religions, food and cultures, and hot and humid weather, which doesn't help the cause."

Up next on the international slate, England visit Croatia on Saturday, October 3 at 12:00 PM EDT at Stadion HNK Rijeka.