Yangon fans shun junta’s World Cup festival

A World Cup fan festival in Yangon has been met with a striking boycott, as residents refuse to attend an event organised by the military‑linked telecoms firm Mytel. The six‑day gathering at Thuwunna Stadium, timed to coincide with the semi‑finals and final of the 2026 tournament, was billed as a celebration of football. Instead, it has become a symbol of public resistance.

Since Myanmar’s military regime reactivated mandatory conscription in February 2024, young men have lived in fear of being seized at public gatherings. Locals say the festival is little more than a trap. “It’s really just a way to get young people out of their homes and make possible arrests,” one resident told DVB. Others insist they would rather watch matches at home than risk detention.

The controversy extends beyond security. FIFA’s decision to grant exclusive broadcasting rights in Myanmar to Mytel has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups. Mytel, part‑owned by the military and sanctioned by the US last year, has long been accused of funding the regime and enabling surveillance. Campaigners argue that subscription fees and advertising revenues from its TV360 platform funnel directly into the junta’s coffers. “FIFA has chosen to take money from the Burmese military instead of ensuring football fans in Burma can enjoy watching the World Cup,” said Mark Farmaner of Burma Campaign UK.

Despite promises of concerts, food stalls and free transport, ticket sales have been poor. Prices ranged from 30,000 kyat (£5.50) to 150,000 kyat (£28) for VIP passes, but organisers have resorted to “buy one, get one free” offers to fill seats. Reports suggest the stadium remains largely empty.

For many in Yangon, the boycott is about more than football. It reflects a wider refusal to legitimise or financially support the regime that seized power in 2021. As the World Cup reaches its climax, the deserted stands at Thuwunna Stadium stand as a powerful reminder: in Myanmar, even the world’s biggest sporting event cannot escape the shadow of war, repression and resistance.

-2026-07-17