FIFA World Cup 2026 fever grips Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol:Children from Vicharpur village, ‘Mini Brazil’, dream to take India to global stage

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun on 11 June, which has generated tremendous enthusiasm among football lovers around the world. Millions of eyes are fixed on this mega event being jointly hosted by America, Canada, and Mexico. Amidst this global excitement, the ‘Mini Brazil’ village Vicharpur in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh has also been colored in the hues of football. Even before the World Cup started, the fields of Vicharpur have become lively. The children and young players of the village are seen discussing their favourite players and teams. Most of the players here support Brazil and want to see them as the FIFA World Champions. Meanwhile, Team India’s inability to even reach FIFA is also a matter of disappointment for them. The children playing football on the field of Mini Brazil say that we will take Team India to FIFA in the coming times. Some of the youth playing on the field are also fans of Argentina and Lionel Messi. But amidst this enthusiasm, one question also arises repeatedly – when the world is competing on football’s biggest stage, why has India not been able to reach there yet? The Dainik Bhaskar team spoke with the young players of the village. Read this report… Why is Vicharpur called ‘Mini Brazil’? In Vicharpur village, located about five kilometres from Shahdol headquarters, football is not just a sport but a part of the lifestyle. In most households of the village, someone or the other is associated with football. Here, children start adopting football along with learning to walk. Years ago, the youth of the village made football their identity. Gradually, many players from here reached district, state and national levels. Women players also achieved remarkable accomplishments. This very passion for football in the village has given it the identity of “Mini Brazil”. PM Modi gave national identity to Vicharpur village Vicharpur received national identity when Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the village in his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the year 2022. The PM had praised the village’s football culture and the players here. After this, Vicharpur suddenly came into national headlines. After the Prime Minister’s mention, several administrative and sports department officials reached the village. The village’s identity was established as a football hub and the players here got increased opportunities to participate in state and national level competitions. Media organizations from across the country also prominently published the village’s story. International player says – ‘Opportunity to learn from FIFA’ Player Sania Kunde, who has represented India in an international competition held in Germany, says that the FIFA World Cup is the biggest platform for players like her to learn. Sania says, “We will watch all the matches. By watching the players who play in our position, we get to learn new techniques. We get to see many shots and movements that require very high-level practice to learn. We will all support Brazil. Our effort is that one day India also plays in the FIFA World Cup.” He says that the World Cup is not just entertainment but also a medium of training. Here, the world’s best players and coaches demonstrate their strategies, which helps young players understand the nuances of the game. FIFA is an open book for us Meanwhile, women’s football team coach Lakshmi Sahish is encouraging players to watch every World Cup match. She says- “Watching FIFA gives an opportunity to understand the game of the world’s best players. By studying their game plans, passing, goal movement and strategies, children can learn a lot. I tell the players not just to watch the match, but to understand and analyze it. Whatever you like, try to incorporate it into your game.” Lakshmi herself is a fan of Lionel Messi. She says that Argentina won the title last time and this time too she will support Messi’s team. Regret over India not reaching the World Cup Among the players of Vicharpur, there is as much enthusiasm about FIFA as there is regret that the Indian team is not part of this tournament. Currently, the Indian men’s football team is far behind the top teams of world football. Asian teams like Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia and Saudi Arabia are consistently reaching the World Cup, while India could not progress beyond the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to the players, there are many reasons behind this. The football infrastructure in the country is still limited. In villages and small towns, there is a lack of quality grounds, trained coaches, modern training facilities and sports science. Compared to cricket, football receives less financial support and less sponsorship. As a result, many talented players quit the sport at an early stage. Coach Lakshmi mentioned that India had qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, but due to various reasons the team could not participate in the tournament. After that, India has never reached the main round of the World Cup. Sania Kunde says- “We are working very hard. Today we are learning by watching FIFA, but our dream is that one day India will also play in the FIFA World Cup and the world will look at our players the same way we look at great players today.” Recognition received, facilities still incomplete Vicharpura has gained national recognition, but the ground reality is still full of challenges. The players of the village say that even today, they do not have level access and well-developed playing fields. During the rainy season, the condition of the field becomes even worse. Many times players have to practice relying on private resources. Players and villagers have said that the village also lacks many basic facilities. Footballs are not available regularly.
Players do not get adequate numbers of shoes and sports dress.
The boundary wall of the ground has not been constructed yet.
There is a lack of modern training facilities.
There is no arrangement for regular fitness and technical training for players.

Villagers say that if these facilities are developed, then Vicharpura can give the country even more national and international level players.

Waiting for the World Cup, flight of dreams As evening falls, the voices of children begin to echo in the grounds of Vicharpura. Someone dreams of playing like Neymar, someone wants to become like Messi, and someone cherishes the dream of playing the World Cup wearing India’s jersey. With the World Cup starting, special preparations for watching matches have also begun in the village. Players and villagers are planning to watch matches collectively. They believe that every match will teach them something new.