Darjeeling Welcomes World Cup 2026 with Festive Spirit – The Queen of Hills Goes All out for Football Fiesta

The hills of Darjeeling are buzzing with football fever as the town officially kicked off its celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a grand opening ceremony at Chowrasta on Thursday evening. The carnival-like atmosphere drew locals and tourists alike, turning the Mall Road into a vibrant display of flags, banners, and football merchandise.

The event, organised by the Darjeeling Football Society (TDFS) under president Lakpa Sherpa, was held just a day before the World Cup's official start in Mexico on June 12. "We held the opening ceremony today keeping in mind the start of the World Cup tomorrow," Sherpa said. "This programme is also aimed at promoting sports among our young generation."

Children, Cake, and Football Dominate the Stage

The ceremony began with energetic children belting out the iconic "Waka Waka" anthem from the 2010 South Africa World Cup, followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting moment. The society also distributed footballs to enthusiastic kids attending the event, while face-painting stalls added to the festive mood.

Four promising young footballers from the region were felicitated on stage:

Sushmita Lepcha from Kalimpong

Brijesh Giri, Solomon Thapa, and Praveen Ghisingh from Darjeeling

These athletes are currently training at reputed football academies across India, and the society hopefuls they will represent the region professionally in the near future.

Town Decked Out in World Cup Colours

From houses to vehicles, Darjeeling is now draped in the flags of competing nations. Murals painted with international team flags line the streets, and shopkeepers across Chowrasta and Broadway are selling World Cup merchandise ranging from jerseys to scarves.

Argentina, Germany, and France colours were particularly visible, with tourists joining locals in showing their support. The atmosphere has been described as "carnival-like" by attendees, with music, chanting, and the constant hum of football discussions echoing through the hills.

Why Darjeeling is India's "World Cup Town"

Darjeeling's passion for football isn't new. The town has been celebrating World Cup festivities since the early 1980s, making it one of the longest-running football celebration hubs in India. In 2018, the Darjeeling North Point School Alumni Association officially declared the town as India's "World Cup Town", a title that has stuck ever since.

According to locals, football is the "heartthrob of Darjeeling" — not just a weekend hobby but a core part of the community's identity and culture. The TDFS currently runs a football academy with over 35 trainees, many of whom have already moved to top academies across the country.

What's Next?

As the World Cup begins, Darjeeling residents plan to screen matches at Chowrasta, continue nightly celebrations, and keep the football spirit alive until the final whistle. For a town that has celebrated every World Cup for four decades, this is just another chapter in its legendary football story.

"Darjeeling celebrates football like no other," one local enthusiast told us, as the hills echoed with chants of "Vamos Argentina!" and "Allez France!"

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