Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Football fever during the FIFA World Cup has turned tragic in Bangladesh, with at least 10 people killed and 45 others injured in violence and accidents linked to team rivalries and celebrations. Despite Bangladesh not qualifying for the tournament, fans have been passionately supporting teams like Argentina and Brazil, but several disputes over football have escalated into deadly clashes.
Authorities said they would increase monitoring at public screening venues. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said, “The DB would keep surveillance at public screening locations to prevent any untoward incidents.”
Social and crime expert Touhidul Haque, a professor at Dhaka University, said many people fail to accept victory and defeat in sports. “Football remains a form of entertainment where both outcomes are natural, but many people fail to maintain a balanced attitude towards winning and losing,” he said.
Three people died on July 1 in separate football-related disputes. In Dhaka’s Adabar area, BNP’s Nobodoy Housing unit President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Abul Bashar Badsha were attacked, with Badsha later declared dead at hospital.
In Ashulia, teenager Nahid Hasan was stabbed to death over a football dispute, according to Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam. In Sylhet’s Zakiganj, Alam Ahmed died after his cousin Parvez allegedly stabbed him during football celebrations. Police arrested Parvez, Zakiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdur Razzak said.
A 35-year-old man, Md Shariful Islam, was also killed in Cumilla after an argument among Argentina supporters during the Argentina-Egypt match. Police said the dispute began after Lionel Messi missed a penalty. Two local men, Babu and Main Uddin Malu, allegedly attacked Shariful, who later died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.
Shankar Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Cumilla Cantonment Nazira Bazar Police Outpost, said the clash started at a tea stall while fans were watching the match. Local resident Abdul Hannan said, “Such a tragic incident over a minor dispute related to a football match is unacceptable. Those responsible should be arrested immediately and punished.”
Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar of Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station said efforts were underway to identify those involved and legal action had started.
Three more deaths occurred due to electrocution while putting up team flags. Mahin Sheikh, a school student from Mymensingh’s Gafargaon, died on June 19 while hanging a Brazil flag. Ramhari Baishnab died on June 15 while installing an Argentina flag in Chattogram, and Faisal died on June 9 while hanging a Brazil flag in Manikganj.
Four other deaths were reported during World Cup celebrations. In Narail, elderly man Mostafa Kazi was allegedly killed after a football dispute. In Chattogram’s Halishahar, Mahidul Islam died after a lamppost collapsed on him. Khokon Karmakar died after suffering a stroke during football practice in Barguna, while a young man died in a road accident in Bhola during a World Cup motorcycle rally on June 13.
Authorities and experts have urged supporters to enjoy football responsibly and avoid turning sporting rivalries into violence.
Last Updated on: 9 July 2026 12:33 AM