India's streets filled with World Cup 2026 murals of Messi and Ronaldo

Fans in Kolkata and the nearby city of Howrah have painted giant murals of football stars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo on walls and sidewalks, echoing chants that normally fill cricket arenas. The artwork often carries messages such as “Sad day for those who doubted,” a phrase popular on social media during the tournament.

The vivid displays reflect West Bengal’s long‑standing football culture, which honors historic figures like Pelé and Diego Maradona alongside modern icons. The murals coincided with FIFA’s finalisation of a broadcast‑rights deal with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, securing coverage of the 2026 World Cup and other competitions in India through 2034 after earlier negotiations threatened to leave Indian viewers without live access. India contributed roughly 3 % of global television reach for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, underscoring its growing importance as a football market.