The fever of the World Cup is at an all time high. Even as one after another footballing powerhouse falls by the wayside, the whole world is abuzz with football talk. Everywhere you go, football occupies the lion’s share of discussion.

People can be seen scurrying to their homes not to miss out on all the action. Betting on their favourite teams is a rage among my friends and family members. If his or her team loses, boundless agony grips an avid fan. Thanks to football, nightlife is well and truly kicking in the Kathmandu city again. Many local hotels are cashing in on this craze, attracting football fanatics by offering live telecasts of the matches on giant screens. Passionate fans throng to these glittering venues. Even the dohori restaurants have not missed out on the fun. By nightfall, there is much hullabaloo in these places and betting is the norm.

T-shirts and jerseys portraying popular football players are selling like hot cakes. The sale of TV sets has soared. The barbers too are having a rollicking time with fans aspiring to emulate the hairdo of their favourite players.

The fans are readjusting their bedtime to make room for the matches telecast late into the night. Diehard fans do not even miss the re-telecast of the matches. Undoubtedly, some football enthusiasts are ruining the sleep of their kith and kin by cheering and screaming well into the wee hours.

Many football fanatics, mostly males, remain unabashedly tucked into their beds till late in the morning, leaving the household drudgeries for their women counterparts. The diehard boozers too get an excuse to tope late into the night. Intriguingly, procreation will take a back seat during this period. Even workplaces are humming with football chitchat, virtually bringing office work to a halt.

It is not uncommon to find football maniacs foraging for football news in all media outlets. Many also try their luck at the myriad football quizzes on offer. Had NTV managed to telecast more matches live, Nepali football aficionados would have been happier still. “Eat football, drink football and dream football” is the new mantra in town and will remain so until the curtain falls on the quadrennial event on July 9.