Supporters of Brazil's football team celebrate the victory of their favorite team on June 29 during the broadcast of a FIFA World Cup match in the village of Baino in Akkar. (Credit: Michel Hallak/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Far from the discord surrounding the banners along the airport road, another, far more good-natured battle of flags has been playing out across Lebanon since June 11. As every four years, the country's most ardent football fans take to the streets draped in the colors of their favorite team, often proudly displayed on the hood or windows of their cars. "At the start of every World Cup, we get requests for flags of Spain, Argentina, France, or Portugal. But Germany and Brazil remain the most in demand, so we always order extra stock," explains Nina, who runs a flag shop at the entrance of Beirut’s Mar Mitr district.Although sales have not reached the levels of previous years — something the shopkeeper attributes to a "lack of enthusiasm" following a war-shadowed start to 2026 — the passion these two teams inspire...
Far from the discord surrounding the banners along the airport road, another, far more good-natured battle of flags has been playing out across Lebanon since June 11. As every four years, the country's most ardent football fans take to the streets draped in the colors of their favorite team, often proudly displayed on the hood or windows of their cars. "At the start of every World Cup, we get requests for flags of Spain, Argentina, France, or Portugal. But Germany and Brazil remain the most in demand, so we always order extra stock," explains Nina, who runs a flag shop at the entrance of Beirut’s Mar Mitr district.Although sales have not reached the levels of previous years — something the shopkeeper attributes to a "lack of enthusiasm" following a war-shadowed start to 2026 — the passion these two teams...
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