By Nicholas Biswas
Sports have long been regarded as one of the most popular forms of entertainment and one of the strongest tools for social connection. The excitement on the playing field is not merely a display of physical ability; it also presents the complex chemistry of human relationships in a simple and engaging way.
One of the most significant characteristics of sports is its neutrality - it does not discriminate based on religion, race, gender, or political beliefs. Rather, the victory of a team or a competitive match can unite millions of people under one bond.
This competition began in 1930 and has been held every four years since then. However, due to World War II, the tournament was not held in 1942 and 1946. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the tournament and is being jointly hosted by three North American countries - the United States, Canada, and Mexico - from 11 June to 19 July 2026. For the first time in history, a record 48 national teams are participating, increasing the total number of matches to 104.
These matches are being hosted across 16 beautiful cities in North America. The opening match was held at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the tournament will conclude with a grand finale at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York, on 19 July.
The excitement of the World Cup has also reached Bangladesh. Recently, a highly meaningful scene was captured on the road beside 78 no. Ramarpol Govt. Primary School in Kalkini of Madaripur, which stands as a unique example of harmony among football-loving Bangladeshis. Two large flags - one of Brazil and the other of Argentina - were displayed side by side. This image is not merely a symbol of two football teams but also carries a profound social message.
Through this article, we attempt to analyze how this kind of symbolic harmony, and sports in general, can positively influence fundamental social structures such as family, society, religion, and politics, while also examining how extremism surrounding sports can destroy social values.
The scenario in Kalkini and its significance
The scene witnessed in Kalkini, Madaripur, is highly significant. We all know that the football rivalry in Bangladesh, especially between Brazil and Argentina supporters, sometimes becomes intense and extreme. During World Cup seasons, debates occur everywhere - from social media platforms to tea stalls - and occasionally escalate into quarrels or even physical conflicts.
Against this backdrop, displaying both teams’ flags side by side across the roadside trees serves as a quiet yet powerful declaration: rivalry may exist, but it should never turn into hatred or division.
This initiative demonstrates that local residents understand an important truth - major celebrations and happiness become complete only when we respect one another’s opinions and preferences. Loving football does not mean engaging in conflict with supporters of another team. This symbol of peaceful coexistence stands as a rare example of social peace and mutual goodwill.
Violence in Delduar – the dark side of sports culture
In sharp contrast to the harmony seen in Kalkini, violence surrounding the Football World Cup in Delduar, Tangail, revealed the darker side of sports culture. A minor argument between Brazil and Argentina supporters escalated into severe violence. At one point, an enraged crowd armed with sticks and sharp weapons attacked a tin-roofed residence and vandalized it recklessly.
Such destructive and violent behavior over something meant to be entertainment is completely unacceptable. This incident not only deprived a family of shelter, but also created deep fear and anger among local residents.
This unfortunate event proves that when excessive emotional attachment to sports turns into blindness, it completely destroys social peace and order. Supporting teams playing thousands of miles away - whose players may not even know about Bangladesh’s existence - while attacking neighbors or fellow citizens reflects a deeply unhealthy mindset. The Delduar conflict reminds us that if sports become a source of extremism rather than enjoyment, families and communities can suffer greatly. Local residents have strongly condemned the incident and demanded swift justice and punishment for those involved.
Impact of sports on family
Family is the smallest unit of society, and sports play an important role in strengthening family bonds. When an entire family watches a match together, it creates a shared experience of joy. This helps reduce the generation gap. Often, we see fathers supporting Brazil while sons support Argentina.
Like the example from Kalkini, if families understand that these differences exist only in sports and should never outweigh family love, peace, and understanding within the family can grow. Healthy discussions and friendly humor during family gatherings foster mutual respect. Children learn that competition exists in all aspects of life, but that does not mean becoming enemies with others. The neutral nature of sports helps families develop healthier attitudes.
Impact of sports on society
Sports play an essential role in establishing peace, order, and harmony in society. When local sports events are organized in villages or cities, they bring entire communities together. They create opportunities for healthy entertainment and help people move beyond communal conflicts or political disagreements.
The incident in Kalkini is a bright example of social harmony. It demonstrates that instead of dividing society, a shared culture can unite people. Symbolic actions like this help reduce intolerance. When people see two rival teams’ flags displayed peacefully, side by side, they receive the message that living with different opinions is possible. This contributes positively to maintaining social order and provides healthy entertainment and inspiration for younger generations.
Politics and sports
From a political perspective, sports often become a part of diplomacy - for example, “Ping-Pong Diplomacy”. Although the Kalkini example is not directly connected to local politics, it offers an important lesson for political culture. Political differences often divide people.
However, the Football World Cup creates moments where people, regardless of political affiliation, unite around a common passion. The symbolic harmony in Kalkini teaches us that coexistence is possible even among political groups. If supporters of two rival countries can live peacefully together, then why cannot people with different political opinions within the same country do the same? This example may encourage greater openness and mutual respect in political culture.
Finally, sports are not merely entertainment - they are powerful carriers of social messages. The side-by-side display of Brazil and Argentina flags in Kalkini, Madaripur, is not just a temporary World Cup season image; it reflects a progressive and peace-loving mindset. On the other hand, the violence in Delduar serves as a warning. These contrasting images remind us that differences and rivalry will always exist, but ultimately, we are all part of one human community.
If we can apply this spirit of symbolic harmony to our families, society, religion, and politics, then building a peaceful, disciplined, and harmonious society becomes possible. We should learn from the example of Kalkini, reject extremism like that seen in Delduar, and cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence with differing opinions in everyday life. Let sports become a symbol of harmony - not division.
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[Nicholas Biswas is a Development Practitioner and a recipient of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Media Award. He can be contacted at [email protected]]
The views expressed are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times
