Every 4 years the World Cup unites millions of fans around the world, but some are not content simply to follow the matches — they build a world of their own around the tournament and live its details on their own terms. Emirati Mohamed Al Mashjari, known as "Bu Amer" and a passionate football lover, has transformed the sitting room of his home into a space that brings together friends and football enthusiasts to experience match atmospheres in a unique and distinctive way.
The World Cup majlis has offered a complete experience since the first day of the 2026 World Cup. The goal was never merely to watch matches, but to gather friends amid an atmosphere of excitement and passion, so that every game becomes an occasion and a special memory in its own right.
Al Bayan joined Bu Amer and his friends for the experience at his majlis in Abu Dhabi, where World Cup details are present in every corner: national team flags hang from the ceiling and walls, team jerseys decorate the space, and a large screen dominates the scene, drawing every eye at each opening whistle.
The experience goes beyond décor alone. A World Cup trophy replica, football posters featuring match schedules and kick-off times, and lighting effects — including smoke that billows out to capture attention — combine to give those present an almost surreal feeling.
Mohamed Al Mashjari says: "Friends were already in the habit of coming to the majlis regularly for matches even before the World Cup, but the tournament remains the standout event — it has its own rituals, quite unlike any other championship or set of matches, with an exceptional atmosphere that is never repeated."
He adds: "Every one of the friends contributed his own personal touch until the place took on a complete World Cup identity that reflects the group's love of football and their desire to share these moments together." He notes that the rivalry among the young men extends to supporting whichever national team each of them loves, and that out of a spirit of challenge and fun they all take on dares — the most notable being that the supporter of the losing team must, for example, cover the cost of dinner that evening.
He explains: "We hold a competition before every match where everyone makes their prediction, in an effort to bring a competitive spirit among the friends. Whoever gets the correct prediction wins a medal." On the subject of match kick-off times, Al Mashjari confirms they were exhausting at first, but love of the World Cup made everyone adapt, to the point where staying up late became part of the majlis's daily routine, waiting for the opening whistle every night.
"I was supporting Brazil, but unfortunately they exited the tournament, so I now follow the matches as a neutral and without pressure. We have witnessed many surprises during this edition," he says.
He adds: "The Egypt and Morocco national teams honoured the Arabs and raised the ceiling of ambitions after proving their ability to compete, delivering performances that filled everyone with hope of reaching the advanced rounds."
Al Mashjari notes that the current edition of the World Cup has proven its success on all levels, whether in terms of organisation, stadiums, or crowds.
Amid the friends' enthusiasm and chants, the colours of the flags, and the sounds of celebration after every goal, "Bu Amer's majlis" has offered a model of how the passion for football can transform a home sitting room into a place pulsating with love for the beautiful game — where every match becomes a memory, and every tournament a new story told among friends.