The world's biggest football festival is starting today. For the next month, the world's attention will be focused on the stadiums of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Although the World Cup matches will be held across seven oceans, the streets, clubs, restaurants, lounges and public places of Kathmandu have also started to get excited.

Like millions of fans around the world, Nepali viewers are preparing to stay up all night to support their favorite team. However, this time, along with the excitement of football, security, public decency and legal issues will also be equally important, security officials have said.

According to Nepal Police Central Spokesperson and DIG Avinarayan Kafle, even though Nepal is not participating in the World Cup, the impact of the tournament is clearly visible across the country, including Kathmandu. Especially in the Kathmandu Valley, dozens of clubs, hotels, party palaces, lounges and sports fan groups are showing the games on big screens. According to him, the police have implemented a special surveillance and security plan to keep the celebrations disciplined.

According to SP Pawan Bhattarai, spokesperson of the Kathmandu Police Range, although football fans will be allowed to watch and show the game, there will be no compromise on public safety, noise pollution and legal arrangements. ‘Games can be watched and shown without violating safety standards.’ When placing a large screen, attention should be paid to the safety of spectators and the general public. No noise is allowed, loud noise or excessive lighting should not be used to affect the locals sleeping nearby,’ he told Kantipur on Thursday afternoon.

According to him, hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs will be able to show the game on their premises, but it should not cause inconvenience to other citizens. Police have stated that places showing games with large monitors, projectors or screens should also make parking arrangements. Kathmandu Police is preparing to conduct regular monitoring throughout the World Cup. Bhattarai said that the security strategy will be reviewed based on daily experience and additional management will be made if necessary. According to him, permission has been issued to show the game publicly in Gaurighat, Syuchatar, Gokarneshwor Bensigaun, Lazimpat, Naya Baneshwor, Budhanilkantha and Gairidhara by Thursday afternoon.

Kathmandu Police Range Chief SSP Dilip Ghimire said that clubs, party palaces and other organizations that want to show the World Cup games should obtain permission from the District Administration Office. 'Betting is not allowed in the name of watching football. No noise is allowed. Road obstruction is not allowed. Compliance with the prevailing law is mandatory,' he said. According to him, the organizers have also been asked to mobilize volunteers. Who will help in crowd management and security monitoring.

Kathmandu's tourist area Thamel is seen to be one of the main attractions of the World Cup. More than 250 restaurants, dining, pubs, cafes, lounges and clubs are operating here. According to Thamel Tourism Development Council Chairman Dhruv Adhikari, all businessmen have been formally requested to stay away from activities like betting and gambling, and if anyone engages in such activities, they have been formally requested to inform the local administration.

‘Thamel is not as noisy and noisy as it used to be. Most of the outlets are now operating in a family atmosphere,’ said Chairman Adhikari. According to him, more than 50 clubs and lounges with large screens in Thamel, including the Nova Club with a capacity of nearly 4,000 people, the LOD with a capacity of 1,000, are preparing to show the World Cup matches live. According to Chairman Adhikari, the problem of noise pollution is expected to be minimal as most of the big clubs have soundproof systems installed. Stating that there is continuous coordination with the administration, he expressed his commitment to ensure organized entertainment throughout the World Cup period. Another reason why Thamel will see special activity during the World Cup period is its 24-hour operating permit. During the tenure of former Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane, Thamel was allowed to operate 24 hours a day as a tourist area. Therefore, most outlets here can also show the games that take place at midnight and in the morning live.

In Lalitpur, permission has not been issued for public screening of the World Cup so far. SSP of Lalitpur Police Range Tul Bahadur Karki said that the public has been urged to watch and watch the games in compliance with the law. He also informed that necessary instructions have been given to the subordinate police units.

According to Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwor Raj Poudel, permission will be given only after obtaining an undertaking from the organizations and organizers who want to screen the World Cup. ‘Some applications have been received. The administration is also preparing to issue a clear template of the rules to be followed during the World Cup screening,’ he said.

The Nepal Police Headquarters has also considered the World Cup period as a time of high alert. According to Central Police Spokesperson DIG Abinarayan Kafle, special instructions have been issued to police units across the country. ‘The Nepal Police is on high alert throughout the World Cup. All police agencies will be active to prevent betting, online betting or other undesirable activities,’ he said. According to the police, based on the experience seen in past World Cups, this time, special priority has been given to controlling alcohol consumption, drug use, fights, unwanted crowds and betting. It has been said that plainclothes police mobilization and patrols will be increased in coordination with the local security committee.

Football enthusiasm has increased in Kathmandu with the start of the World Cup. However, the police administration has asked to celebrate within the limits of the law. This time, the FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in history. For the first time, this competition, which will feature 48 nations, is being jointly organized in three North American countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. A total of 104 games will be played in the tournament, which will be held in stadiums in 16 cities in those countries.