KARACHI: FIFA World Cup 2026 final was an international match, but Pakistani fans, especially residents of Lyari and the Lyari football team, made this match their own.
Spain ended a 16 year wait for World Cup glory by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
The final was played at MetLife Stadium in the U.S. state of New Jersey on 19th July.
Throughout the FIFA World Cup, the Pakistani government took major steps to give the public a platform to enjoy the final with gatherings and mutual connection, allowing people to spend time together and enjoy and remember one of the biggest events in the world.
To this end, the Pakistani government arranged large public screenings at football stadiums in different cities across the country. One such screening took place at Lyari International Football Stadium on the night of Sunday, July 19, where around 3,500 people gathered. The stadium was packed with fans of FIFA, and especially supporters of Argentina and Spain.
Lyari, a small area within the city of Karachi, is also known nationally for its football team, praised for the tactics its players use, turning football matches into more than just a sporting event and leaving viewers amazed by their skill and talent.
At the Lyari stadium, many fans were seen wearing jerseys and t-shirts, especially ones bearing Messi’s name. All the fans arrived full of energy and excitement to cheer on their favorite teams and make the gathering a memorable one.
That night, several football players from Lyari came to the stadium to watch the FIFA match and shared their thoughts. “If we were given a chance by the government of Pakistan, we could represent Pakistan on this wider FIFA platform and make sure to win the World Cup final,” said Arbaz Khan, a member of the Lyari football team who has played for the past ten years, since he was 18.
This large scale public screening from the Pakistani government also served as a way to give the public insight into how international teams play in the FIFA World Cup, while giving local players a chance to learn the tactics, styles, and techniques of the game through free public screenings.
Meanwhile, the Lyari area was transformed into a hub of light and celebration, where the night felt as bright as day.
Muhammad Adil Tadap, a resident of Lyari, said, “We thank the government of Pakistan for giving our area the opportunity to create such an entertainment spot for the residents of Lyari and bring so much excitement to the community.”
One elderly resident of Lyari, Muhammad Mohsin, said with pride, “If our Lyari football team made it to the FIFA World Cup, they could play much better and make sure to win for Pakistan, and make Pakistan proud of the Lyari footballers, because they have unique talent to show but it depends on the government to create the right platforms for our team as well.”
One notable observation at the Lyari stadium was that the players, known locally as “Lyari walay,” didn’t just enjoy watching the screening of the final match, they also played football on a field behind the stadium and shared their own ideas on how to score goals and win, clearly reflecting their deep love for the game.
Husnain, another Lyari football player, said, “If Pakistan holds screenings like this for the Lyari team nationwide, no one will be able to stop our team from reaching the FIFA World Cup.”
Sadiq Baloch, a respected coach who has trained Lyari footballers for over a decade, said, “I have trained many teams in Lyari, and I dream that my most talented players will not only play nationally, but also shine and compete on the FIFA World Cup stage to become an honorable team for Pakistan.”
He added a message for the Pakistani government, “Just as the government arranged screenings for the international FIFA World Cup, I wish they would also organize similar screenings to showcase the Lyari team across the country, this would help our team grow more easily, since this is the era of social media, screening our Lyari team’s matches could help many influencers and Tik-Tokers spotlight our players, allowing us to gain recognition internationally as well.”
In the end, the large scale screening of the biggest event in football, the FIFA 2026 World Cup final, didn’t just give Lyari residents and nearby communities a place to enjoy the moment together, it also offered valuable support and learning opportunities for local football teams.
People throughout Lyari, and across Karachi more broadly, expressed hope that such screenings would become a regular occurrence, offering continued support for local teams going forward.
