United we stand, divided we fall, so goes the adage. The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, however, gave the Mukherjee family of Austin, Texas, the perfect opportunity to remain united despite diverse team loyalties.
The foursome — Avishek and Moupia, along with daughters Ayesha, 12, and Myra, 7 — lived it up, quite literally, in Doha on a dream sports vacation that they surely wouldn’t forget in a hurry. On a 11-day-long celebration of the world’s greatest spectacle in the Arab desert nation, the Mukherjees started planning their trip in June. A few days added to their Thanksgiving holidays turned out to be the best time to sneak out of mundane life in Texas and boost their football adrenaline besides indulging in fun and frolic amid the sands of Qatar.
“We missed stand tickets to two matches but I managed to buy peace in the family by grabbing hospitality (clubhouse) tickets with some effort,” the 43-year-old Avishek, a health tech product management executive, told My Kolkata over a phone call.
“My family in Baishnabghata Patuli in south Kolkata has always boasted of divided loyalty between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. My mother’s side of the family were hardcore East Bengal supporters, while my loyalty lay with my father’s side, Mohun Bagan. Watching derbies at Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake stadium) with my cousins and friends was a staple in my childhood and teenage years.”
“Even during my job at London, I remember changing trains thrice to catch Manchester United-Arsenal faceoffs at Old Trafford,” recalled Avishek, an alumnus of South Point and Kalyani University.
“In world football, Germany have been my eternal favourites, while Mattheus and Klinsmann have been my idols. I have vivid memories of watching the 1990 FIFA World Cup held in Italy on our black-and-white television set at my Kolkata home with cousins and neighbours,” added the boy from Garia who has been in the US for almost 19 years.
Moupia, an engineer from Kolkata who now runs a boutique in Austin, said: “My entire family back in Kolkata comprises ardent Brazil supporters and my brother Kaushik Biswas had been a goalkeeper in the IIEST Shibpur team. Our daughter, Ayesha, shows considerable interest in football, she plays soccer at school as a right-wing defender. Little Myra too has some soccer experience at summer camp. This trip was entirely Avishek’s idea! And we just loved it!”
Myra and Ayesha strike a pose on arrival at the Doha international airport. The swooping curves of the official logo of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the background represent desert dunes, and the unbroken loop depicts both the number eight – representing the tournament’s host stadiums – and the infinity symbol, reflecting the event’s interconnected nature, fusing tradition with modernity
In this World Cup, the two sisters have often been forced to switch loyalties between their mom’s and dad’s favourites, even as they owe allegiance to the US. Hearing so much about Neymar, Richarlison and Muller from their parents, it was difficult for the girls to make free choices.
Dad Avishek somehow persuaded the girls to sport German flags, caps and other merchandise while marching into Khalifa International Stadium for the Germany-Japan faceoff. And attagirl! Watching Japan’s performance, li’l Myra, turned towards Avishek midway through the match and said: “Papa, ei rakho tomaar Germany-r flag tomaar kacchhe (Papa, here, you keep your Germany flag!)” before picking up the Rising Sun flag.
Fireworks as seen from the Al Corniche promenade on the inaugural evening on November 20
The Mukherjees chose to watch the inaugural fireworks light up the sky and the awe-inspiring laser and drone show from the Doha Corniche, which is a 7-kilometre stretch of gorgeous promenade overlooking the serene waterfront. The whole place was decked out in flags of participating nations and was buzzing with fans of all ages and nationalities, who gorged on snacks available aplenty.
All stripes and stars for the Mukherjee brigade during the USA’s opening match against Wales
The overexcited Mukherjee munchkins literally led their parents — all sporting stripes and stars headbands, caps, jerseys and flags — to root for USA against its opening match against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
(Clockwise from top left) Girls persuaded to sport German colours by dad Avishek; Japanese fans outside Al Bayt Stadium; the kick-off and Myra changes colours midway through the match
The Germany-Japan face-off at Al Bayt Stadium was one pulsating match for the family. Japan’s performance almost sent veteran Germany fanatic Avishek scurrying for cover even as his girls switched allegiance mid-game.
Donning the yellow and green jerseys during the memorable Brazil versus Serbia match
The Brazil-Serbia clash at Lusail Stadium saw Moupia keep her Kolkata family tradition alive. Ayesha, Myra and Avishek made her proud by lending their whole-hearted and full-throated support. The atmosphere at the stadium was so electrifying that even when some overzealous Brazilian fans split a tray full of beer glasses over an entire row of spectators sitting in front, nobody complained at all! The brotherhood and bonhomie made Avishek feel as if he were watching just another Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby at Salt Lake stadium back home in Kolkata.
Germany’s performance against Spain at Al Bayt Stadium kept its chances of progressing into the Round of 16 alive and of course, acted as a much-needed face-saver for dad Avishek in front of Myra and Ayesha after the earlier embarrassing loss to Japan.
Cheering for Argentina in their match against Mexico from the 48th floor of Dusit Hotel
To catch the live telecast of the Argentina versus Mexico game on a giant screen over dinner, the family trooped to the 48th floor of the opulent Dusit Hotel. To show solidarity with his close friend Anirban Dasgupta, a die-hard Argentina fan, Avishek sported a shirt and suit matching Argentina colours and for all Argentina supporters, who were left crestfallen after the shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first game.
Enjoying the USA versus England face-off on the rooftop at JW Marriott Doha
Refusing to let go of the slightest opportunity to soak it in, the Mukherjees even watched the USA-England faceoff on the rooftop of the JW Marriott Marquis Doha, the hotel in which the foursome had put up.
WC Nuggets
- What came as a surprise to Avishek was the ‘lack of loyalty’ the way German fans walked away from the match versus Japan on sensing defeat. The common excuse overheard in the stands was: “Let’s get back to the hotel lest we miss the last Metro train.” No green-and-maroon fanatic would ever be caught dead walking away like that from Salt Lake stadium even if Mohun Bagan stared at imminent loss, Avishek said.
- The hospitality (clubhouse) tickets gave the Mukherjees the comfort of air-conditioning and plush seats and a wholly different ambience. There, the spectators were much more restrained in their emotions and reactions than those out in the stands. For Avishek, the complimentary Corona lager and wine on offer was ‘downmarket taste-wise’ than the premium brands he’s used to back in the US.
- The family was impressed with a joyride on the Doha Metro
Vignettes from the FIFA fan village near Lusail Stadium where the family also put up
Beyond the World Cup
The Mukherjees made the most of their vacation in Doha during the daytime, soaking in the best sights and sounds that Qatar has to offer — visiting the sand dunes, souqs (traditional markets) and beaches among other activities.
From camel to ATV rides and from soaking in the sun at the beach to shopping at the souqs, the Mukherjees were just unstoppable
(Clockwise from top left) The Mukherjees tried out an array of cuisines but Avishek liked Azerbaijani delicacies the best; Moupia with the girls on some retail therapy at Souq Waqif; a traditional Saudi men’s dance and Souq Waqif decked up with flags of participating nations
Lasting Images
A traditional souvenir from Qatar with the World Cup logo on top
- After the Germany-Japan faceoff, the way Japanese fans cleared up trash from the stands, the common areas and even the team dressing room was most impressive and praiseworthy
- Watching some 4X4 vehicles out on dune-bashing rides with tourists in the desert dangerously toppling from steep sandy slopes
- Jaw-dropping shopping malls, with ultra-modern facilities, which were far better than the ones the Mukherjees have visited at Dallas, Louisana and Houston.
Bets on WC 2022 champions
Brazil for Moupia and Avishek, USA for Myra and Ayesha
Bye-bye, Qatar
Heading Back Home - Ayesha and Myra at Doha airport
Even as the Mukherjees caught a flight back to Austin, they took back a lifetime of memories apart from bags full of WC souvenirs such as key rings, caps, team jerseys, fridge magnets, miniature flags, etc. The girls, especially Ayesha, fresh from their first-ever World Cup experience, have tons of stories to share with their classmates and friends. “One thing for sure, Ayesha would try to hone her soccer skills having watched the world’s best footballers up close,” signed off Moupia.
Looking forward to 2026
With Qatar 2022 infusing football adrenaline into the Mukherjees afresh, the happy foursome just cannot wait to get back to the stands for the 23rd FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities. Cheers to that!
