Hyderabad, June 17 -- The lanes of Sainikpuri are dressed in the colours of the beautiful game, and one club has made sure nobody misses it. Vallavur Nagar Football Club has decked out its colony with massive posters of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, strung up flags across the streets, and held a rally to mark the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tournament the club's football-devoted membership has been waiting for four years.

The neighbourhood buzz mirrors a wider football frenzy sweeping India as the tournament, which kicked off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, delivers its early share of drama and spectacle. The 2026 edition is the first to feature 48 teams, an expansion from the pr...