A local neighbourhood football club in Kolkata has transformed a narrow city lane into a "FIFA Gully" to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The installation reflects the deep-rooted football culture of the city and expresses local hopes that India will eventually qualify for the tournament.
The project covers a 100-metre stretch [1] of road featuring murals, portraits, and cut-outs of global football stars. The artwork highlights players including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar [1], [2], [3]. This latest wave of murals appeared in June 2026, coinciding with the knockout stages of the tournament [3], [1].
Reports on the exact location of the gully vary. Some sources identify the site as Fakir Chakraborty Lane in eastern Kolkata [1], while others place it in the Fariapukur area [3] or the Shyambazar neighbourhood [2].
This tradition is not new to the city. The practice of decorating the area for the World Cup began in 2014, though it started with newspaper clippings rather than professional murals [3], [1]. The most recent transformation was reported on June 16, 2026 [3].
The club organized the effort to showcase the city's long-standing passion for the sport [1], [4]. The street has since become a destination for football fans from across Kolkata who visit to view the art during the tournament fever.
“A narrow lane in Kolkata was turned into 'FIFA Gully' to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The emergence of 'FIFA Gully' underscores Kolkata's unique status as a football stronghold in a country where cricket is typically the dominant sport. By evolving from simple newspaper clippings in 2014 to large-scale murals in 2026, the project demonstrates a growing sophistication in how local communities engage with global sporting events to signal their aspirations for national team success.
