European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller says Dhaka’s streets are filled with flags, jerseys and celebrations, with strong support for both European and South American teams despite Bangladesh’s absence.
In an email interview with TIMES of Bangladesh, he reflects on the intense football fever across the country during the FIFA World Cup, highlighting football’s unifying power beyond qualification. He also recalls Old Dhaka’s vibrant fan culture, linking it to Bangladesh’s broader warmth, energy and collective spirit.
How would you describe the level of enthusiasm you have observed among Bangladeshi people for the FIFA World Cup?
It has been exhilarating to travel through Dhaka and the surrounding countryside during the competition. Flags everywhere. Possibly with a bias for South American teams, but I have seen many, many examples of support for the ten (yes, ten!) European Union member state teams that qualified.
Shirts for sale and being worn. Football matches temporarily displacing cricket!
Bangladesh has no history of qualifying for the World Cup, yet the country is often described as having some of the most passionate football fans in the world. How do you interpret this phenomenon?
Let’s hope it is only a matter of time before Bangladesh qualifies – the men’s and the women’s teams are full of talented players.
But what sets ‘the beautiful game’ apart from many other sports is that you don’t need to qualify for the World Cup to enjoy watching the games or to appreciate the hard work and talent that drives successful players. And you don’t need to have the skills of a football icon to enjoy playing with your friends, either.
Could you share any personal anecdotes or observations from your time in Bangladesh that illustrate the depth of public engagement with the tournament, such as street decorations, public viewing gatherings, or conversations with local citizens?
My second daughter has been staying with me in Dhaka throughout the competition. We went to Old Dhaka one weekend and spent an afternoon enjoying the atmosphere and catching the sights. It was a colourful and energetic Bangladesh experience, as always!
What impressed both of us were the flag sellers, displaying the emblems of all competing nations in one place and at the same time, hawking their wares at full volume. And the number of young people wearing European strips.
I was not expecting it, but one lad was even wearing the Belgian ‘Red Devils’ [the team’s nickname] strip. And I have a soft spot for Belgium: I spent twenty years of my life in Brussels and still have a season ticket for the best Brussels-based football team.
In your view, what does this widespread passion for football reveal about Bangladeshi culture and society, and is there a parallel sporting tradition in your own country that compares to it?
The beauty of the World Cup is that it brings people together. We don’t all read the same news, watch the same TV anymore, or receive the same posts on social media, more’s the pity as there is always more that unites than divides us.
When it comes to Bangladeshi culture and society, this country is a passionate place, full of passionate people, warm in character and often with robust opinions. It is also the place in my life where I have seen the hardest working individuals, striving to make opportunities and take their chances as they present themselves. There is a football metaphor in there somewhere…
Finally, do you have a personal favourite team or player in this year’s tournament, and would you care to share your own prediction for the outcome?
May the best team playing the most enjoyable football win!
