BHARGAB SARMAH

MOSCOW: A few metres from the Okhotni Ryad metro station here, Iranian fans lined up on Tuesday evening. “Iran! Iran! Iran!” coursed through Red Square as minutes remained for sunset.

Near midnight, their number had significantly increased and the chants, this time of a much wider variety, got louder. The Iran fans were soon joined by a few Russians.

With Iranian and Russian flags flying side by side, the camaraderie between the two sets of supporters was evident to all bystanders. “Russia, spasiba! (Russia, thank you!)” was heard loud and clear a few minutes later; the Iranians expressing gratitude to the World Cup hosts.

A few metres away, fans of Peru made themselves heard serenading passers-by with praise of their national team.

Four years after Germany triumphed in Brazil, the World Cup is back, this time debuting on Russian soil. And if one needs any reminding, a trip to the Red Square is enough to get one into the mood.

For the past few days, pubs in the area have been working overtime to accommodate the sudden, huge surge in customers. On most occasions, fans from various countries have been engaged in sing-offs and playful digs at each other.

Matters on the pitch will be far more serious as the curtain rises on Thursday evening.

HOW THEY STACK UP

After the humiliation at home in 2014, Brazil return to the world’s grandest stage on the back of a near-flawless qualifying campaign. If they avoid early slipups, a meeting with Mexico is likely in the round of 16, following which England or Belgium could lie in wait in the quarters.

France, whom Brazil could meet in the semi-finals, face Denmark, Peru and Australia in the group. A pre-quarter final clash against Argentina or Croatia