Jadhav links the city’s football story to the patronage of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and the support of the erstwhile royal family during the pre-Independence era. He says the sport holds “a distinct place in Kolhapur's sporting identity”, alongside the city’s better-known wrestling culture.
That connection remains visible today. Clubs reportedly continue to develop young players, while tournaments are held at Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium in Mangalwar Peth. The result is a football culture with both local roots and a global outlook.
The report describes football clubs as the focal point of World Cup celebrations, with supporters gathering in community spaces to watch matches together. Hakim said “football clubs effectively become the centre of celebrations”, a reflection of how major fixtures can bring different generations into the same room.
For younger fans, the tournament also means customised shirts, mobile subscriptions and long nights with friends. Teenager Krishna Mangale said “live screenings are often organised by both talims and football clubs”, connecting traditional community institutions with the modern football audience.
Social media has widened that reach, with Instagram, Facebook and YouTube helping younger supporters follow players, teams and tournament storylines beyond domestic football. Mangale, a Lionel Messi fan, also said “many local fans wear customised jerseys of their preferred team or player on a regular basis”.
As the next 2026 fixtures arrive, Kolhapur’s screenings will offer more than match-night entertainment. They will be another reminder that football’s biggest stages can inspire some of its strongest communities far from the host nations.