Belarusians in Warsaw gathered to watch the World Cup in Belarusian. Tsikhanouskaya and Latushka rooted for Spain
About 400 Belarusians gathered in Warsaw for a joint viewing of the World Cup final. Queues for burgers, Belarusian commentary from Sasha Ivulin and Yaroslav Pisarenka, meetings with acquaintances, and fundraising for children of political prisoners — the evening turned out to be much more than just a football broadcast.
The organizers prepared more than just football for the guests. The ticket included a treat from Burgerlab — corn and a glass of beer. There were so many interested people that long queues formed.
They also took care of those who came with children. The sports club "Volat" organized a separate children's zone where younger guests could play while their parents watched the match.
Not only avid football fans came, but also people who simply wanted to spend an evening in Belarusian company.
Volunteer and former political prisoner Maria Babovich admitted that she doesn't consider herself a big football fan, but this time she decided to support the Spanish national team.
"I don't know why. It just happened that way. Previously, I rooted for Belgium for many years, and now I've chosen Spain. I like that it's a young team. And Argentina — that's not the kind of football I'd like to see in the final," she says.
Economist and Belarusian activist Tatiana Pankova also came not so much for the football.
"I don't really understand football at all. I came because our people gathered here. If I have to choose, I'll root for Argentina — at least I know the surname of one footballer there."
Pavel Matsukevich, co-founder of the "Maldzis" initiative, holds a similar opinion.
"If only I knew who's playing today. Let's say I'll root for Argentina. I hope they win," he jokes.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka also visited the event.
"I'm not much of a football fan, but I will root for Spain because they are friends of Belarus," said Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Pavel Latushka first joked that he was rooting for Cape Verde, and then shared that for the World Cup final, he would support Spain, where he once worked as Belarus's ambassador.
While the spectators waited for the match to begin, a football quiz was held for them. And during the evening, Bysol collected donations for the children of political prisoners. The campaign's goal is to raise 10,000 euros to help one hundred children prepare for the new academic year. Among those who donated, a replica of the 2026 World Cup ball with autographs of famous Belarusians was raffled off.
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