B.Sridhar | TNNJamshedpur: Thousands of miles away from the FIFA World Cup venues, where the world’s top footballers are vying for glory, young aspirants at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) here are caught up in the tournament’s excitement, passionately backing their favourite teams and stars.Since the tournament kicked off on June 11, the academy has turned into a hub of activity, with cadets crowding into the audio-visual room to watch matches. The space transforms into a mini stadium, with trainees glued to a 43-inch television screen, cheering every move. From applauding stunning goals to reacting in despair at missed chances, their emotions mirror those of fans worldwide.Among the favourites are Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo; Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi; Germany with Jamal Musiala; and France, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé.Ronaldo Singh, an Under-18 cadet from Manipur, backs Portugal and idolises Cristiano Ronaldo—after whom he is named. He believes the team has a strong shot at the title. Rajveer Kapoor of the Under-16 batch also supports Portugal for its flair, even as he admires Messi.Tight training routines and academic schedules keep many cadets from watching late-night matches live. Instead, they catch up on recorded games the next day.“Since many matches are played late at night or early in the morning, not all cadets can watch them live. Nevertheless, the audio-visual room is always filled with excitement whenever the boys gather to watch the games,” said hostel warden Sumit Sarkar.Beyond the thrill, the World Cup is proving to be a learning experience. Coaches screen recorded matches and break down key moments, helping trainees understand tactics, positioning, and ball control.“Recorded matches are shown during AV sessions, and coaches analyse performances of top teams and players to teach finer aspects of the game,” a TFA official said.