Teams were drawn from 54 amateur clubs in Thimpu and the national side.
Bhutan, like India, does not play the FIFA World Cup. But, like India, the Himalayan country is crazy about the beautiful game. So they decided to bring a bit of Brazil to Bhutan this football season. They held their own World Cup. The only difference: instead of 32 teams, there were 33. The 33rd team: Bhutan, who else?
You might, for a moment, think you are in Brazil, watching a Spain versus Argentina and that there goes Messi scoring a goal. But what you are witnessing, in fact, is the Bhutan World Cup at Thimpu, held by the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) as a special treat for thousands of football fans in the country.
President of the BFF Ugyen Tsechup said, "We thought, you know, with Bhutan being in one corner of the world and the World Cup taking place in Brazil, we said, for football lovers, we don't want them to watch the World Cup on TV. So let some activity be held in Bhutan for the football fans to enjoy."
For the make-belief world cup, 33 teams - including Bhutan - picked the name of a country by lottery. Teams were drawn from 54 amateur clubs in Thimpu and the national side. The final was between Ecuador and Honduras and Honduras won. Bhutan loved every moment of it.
Officially, they will tell you that it will take some years for Bhutan to reach the World Cup standards. But it is the spirit on the ground that perhaps counts. At least one player said they are trying their best to make sure they are in the FIFA World Cup next time.
"We have to play in the next World Cup. We will try our best to play, participate in the next World Cup. We will give our every best," said Karan Gurung, a national team player.
Even Bhutan's prime minister Tshering Tobgay is not immune. Asked about his favourite World Cup team, he laughed and said, "Bhutan!"
Till that dream comes true, Bhutan is celebrating the real world cup. Every night is party night when Rio comes to Thimpu.