It’s not just any cup, it’s the Fifa World Cup and the soccer enthusiasts are donning the best hats not just to enjoy but to show their support to their favourite teams.
With people high on soccer fever, one might find many ways in which city youngsters are swinging into the soccer mood. From soccer home parties, soccer dressing, soccer star inspired haircuts to soccer evenings at pubs — all are on their ‘to-do’ list. But what is special about the 21st World Cup season?
Hair trends straight from the field
For the ones who religiously follow their soccer teams, getting a haircut especially for the season is a must. Aashmeen Munjaal, Star salon and academy shares, “People who are backing up teams often come with requests for their logos to be engraved in their haircuts. They make sure that they have had a clear discussion with the hair stylists before they start working on it — shaving the hair in sync with the logo of their favourite team — a trend which is very much in demand.”
For her salon, Munjaal has special hair tattoo designers. “Not everyone is a specialist, so we have people who are mastering the art and are often practicing on the most demanded logos.” But that’s not all for the hair, dying them according to the team’s jersey is another trend that is rampant.
Other than the colour of the jersey and the logo, many prefer to follow their stars. Be it Neymar, known for his statement look, going for totally shaved sides and a messy quiff to top it off – almost reminiscent of a mohawk to David Beckham’s tattooed mock hairstyle — tattoo on the side and the fox mock in the center, people are going for it all says Munjaal. “Fans follow their favourite player’s haircut very diligently. Both the haircut and colour trend is followed closely by them, so we need to cater to them with precision,” she adds.
Fan poses wearing Ramon’s jersey
Soccer night parties
Not all like to sit alone on their couch intensely following the match. Many prefer to have some fun. Vikas Sejwal, a first-year student in Delhi University enjoys having his friends over for the matches. “Those from my group who follow football bring food and drinks and gather at my place and watch the match together while supporting our own favourite teams.” Partying while watching your favourite team play does sound appealing but to add more fun, Sejwal and his friends often find themselves wearing their favourite team’s jersey.
Screenings at the clubs
Vicky, another undergraduate student from Delhi University prefers dressing up and hitting the pubs. “On match nights we dress up in the jersey of our favourite team and go to the clubs in which live screening of the match is held. Drinks in our hands and eyes on the screen is what we love to do.
Another with a haircut like Lionel Messi
Soccer-inspired menus
If the crowd loves to eat and drink while watching the game, why will the pubs be any behind in catering to the special Fifa menus. Inderjeet Singh Banga, owner at Prankster and Pra Pra prank says that sports have always held an important place. “Be it cricket or football, any sport that takes India to International level calls for celebration and motivation. To cheer our players we will be launching many celebration offers for Fifa which will have innovative packages and soccer inspired food.”
Adding to it Shamit Ajmani, owner of Decode in Rajouri Garden says that Fifa is making importance in India and taking over IPL viewers. “Football has and always will be an important sport in India and the importance has increased over a couple of years owing to the exposure.” This year Fifa is happening in Russia so Ajmani is making some crazy combos around vodka and food. “We are working on football platter which will bring many innovations with ball-shaped food.”
