Messi Statue in Kolkata Taken Down Over Stability Concerns

Messi Statue Removed in Kolkata

According to Главком: Authorities in Kolkata have dismantled a statue of Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion with Argentina. The sculpture was unveiled during Messi's visit to India in December 2025, but its removal became necessary after complaints about the 21-meter structure swaying dangerously in strong winds.

2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw Revealed

Meanwhile, the group stage lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been finalized. Group A will feature:

• Mexico
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Czech Republic

Group B includes:

• Canada
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Qatar
• Switzerland

Group C will consist of:

• Brazil
• Morocco
• Haiti
• Scotland

Group D is made up of:

• United States
• Paraguay
• Australia
• Turkey

Group E features:

• Germany
• Curaçao
• Ivory Coast
• Ecuador

Group F comprises:

• Netherlands
• Japan
• Sweden
• Tunisia

Group G brings together:

• Belgium
• Egypt
• Iran
• New Zealand

Group H includes:

• Spain
• Cape Verde
• Saudi Arabia
• Uruguay

Group I will see:

• France
• Senegal
• Iraq
• Norway

Group J consists of:

• Argentina
• Algeria
• Austria
• Jordan

Group K is represented by:

• Portugal
• DR Congo
• Uzbekistan
• Colombia

Group L comprises:

• England
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Panama

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, along with the eight best third-placed sides from the group stage.

Ukraine's national football team lost to Sweden 3-1 in the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup playoffs. In that qualifier, Ponomarenko scored for Ukraine in the 91st minute, while Swedish player Gyökeres netted a hat-trick in the 6th, 51st, and 72nd minutes.

The removal of the Messi statue in Kolkata highlights both the athlete's immense significance to fans and the practical challenges of commemorating him in public spaces.