- Topic:FIFA World Cup
Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 3:07pm
Crowds across the nation adorned in green and gold have gathered in support of the Socceroos for their third match in the World Cup.
After their loss to the US last weekend, the team faced off against Paraguay on Friday in California's Santa Clara, which ended in a draw.
The Aussies needed a win or a draw for a guaranteed progression to the knockout stage.
Fans at several live sites across the country had one goal; Find a good spot to celebrate — or commiserate — in company.
Victoria
At Melbourne's Federation Square, crowds began to swell more than two hours before the scheduled game start time.
The location had a limited capacity of about 7,000 spots, and that was reached before the game began, with fans told to head to Melbourne Rectangular Stadium instead.
Schools across the country also held screenings, with kids pouncing on the opportunity to be out of the classroom on their Friday afternoon.
There was plenty of excitement at Laurimar Primary School in Melbourne's outer-north suburb of Doreen, where about 1,000 students watched.
The mood was high, not just because it was the last day before school holidays, but also because of a big screen and food trucks.
Six-year-old Quinn took a more creative approach to her outfit, dressing up as a soccer ball.
Meanwhile, there was no shortage of teenagers getting into the spirit.
One Socceroos supporter told the ABC he was conveniently unable to attend school on Friday because of a "headache".
Victoria Police said it was well-prepared for the game and encouraged everyone to enjoy themselves while looking out for each other.
At about 10am, three flares were ignited at Federation Square, but there were no reports of injuries.
A group of male teens were also seen fighting at the site around the same time, with police separating the group.
Police are investigating both incidents.
Queensland
An estimated 8,000 people came together at Brisbane's live site at South Bank to secure the best vantage point.
They tried to shield themselves from the rain, which came down pretty hard at one point.
Three flares were set off and no arrests made.
Some colourful personalities dotted the grounds, including Douglas Jones, a self-professed "super fan" dressed as a kangaroo.
At St Vincent's Primary School on the Gold Coast, about 100 children joined in to cheer on the Aussie side.
Seven-year-old Indigo was most excited to see right-back Jason Geria in action — but not for his ace defending skills.
"[He's my favourite] because he is a kind and compassionate player," she said of Geria.
South Australia
To cheer on their favourite team, Henry and Eddie Drever said they promised house chores in exchange for a day off school.
"Because I've got no assignments I had to write a persuasive [argument] to my mum that I should stay at home and come to watch the Socceroos and she said yes, so I got to skip school,"
Their grandmother Carol Scholz is a fan of Nestory Irankunda, the Tanzanian-born star who hails from Adelaide.
"We've seen him doing his backflips so we're very invested in him and we want him to score," Ms Scholz said.
Irankunda also won the hearts of 11-year-old Archie who dreams of one day playing for the national team.
"Hopefully we get the win, nervous and excited," Archie said.
Irankunda's cousin Jacob Irambona backed the winger's performance on the world stage.
"He's the best man in the world, I always say [that] since I was young and, look, he's proven it 100 per cent," he said.
"We love him and I can't wait 'til you come back to hug us all."
Jonathan Kaitatzis, owner venue space Plant 4 Bowden, said his venue reached maximum capacity when the Socceroos faced off the US in the wee hours of the morning last week.
"The last game exceeded all expectations getting about 400-plus bookings at 4am,"
He said he expected the same turnout on Friday, hoping for a "lot of Socceroos and the Paraguay supporters" to come together in celebration.
Among the Adelaide fans watching intently was Socceroos stalwart Craig Goodwin, who scored Australia's opening goal at the 2022 World Cup but was sidelined this year due to injury.
"You're more nervous watching as a fan because you don't have the same control over the game," Goodwin said.
He said the young Australian squad signalled a promising World Cup future.
"Over the next four years [they] should progress, I think [they] have the potential to be playing at top clubs in Europe and coming into their prime at those next World Cups," Goodwin said.
New South Wales
A few hundred people also packed out Parramatta Square in Western Sydney to watch the crucial match.
While many wandered down from nearby office blocks for an extended lunch break, there were plenty who came especially for the game.
Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps of the amphitheatre, the mood was jubilant with chanting.
Meanwhile, dozens of students at Matraville Sports High School in the Sydney suburb of Chifley also tuned in as part of their school curriculum.
The school operates the official Sydney FC School Academy, which is a development pathway for aspiring future Socceroos and Matildas players.
Several students have told the ABC that being able to watch the national team play gave them hope for their future careers.
Ante Juric, a former Socceroos and Matilda's assistant coach who heads the school's football program, said airing the match during school hours was important.
"You see all your heroes on the screen, you want to be them, you want to play like them,"
"So, this just gives them that little glint in their eyes and the ability to see what their future could," Mr Juric said.
In Port Macquarie, over a hundred people packed into a local tavern to watch the game on the big screen.
Local Jules Bardon said he took the day off work for the occasion and was feeling "quietly confident".
"I've been a big football fan, you can see how it unites the nation … my dad was saying it was like when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and it stopped the world," he said.
"It's nice it brings Australia together, to unite for three-four weeks."
ACT
Live sites, pubs, schools, and workplaces across Canberra were buzzing, with fans skipping their usual schedules to watch.
Along with venues around the city, the national capital hosted two official live sites of the tournament, with thousands of supporters gathering at Garema Place in the CBD and the University of Canberra Refectory to watch the action unfold.
But there was criticism of the size and placement of the screen at Garema Place, with some punters saying it was too small and too low for much of the crowd to see.
ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry said the government had taken on the feedback and would make changes ahead of the next match.
"The screens probably weren't quite as big as people were expecting, so it was difficult to see. I take that feedback on board," she said.
"The Economic Development Directorate and the ACT government is going to see what they can do to get a bigger screen and make it more visible for the next time around."
Tasmania
Hundreds of fans gathered in the centre of Hobart to watch the two teams battle it out.
At the In The Hanging Garden, about 800 people were sitting outside on beanbags or standing to cheer on the Socceroos, with the venue hitting capacity.
The area opens into the Odeon Theatre, where another 850 people could watch on a second big screen.
People had come out of school and work, including students who told the ABC they should have been studying for mid-year exams, but being present to watch the game and share in the Socceroos spirit was more important.
At Launceston, in Tasmania's north, a sports bar filled with fans drenched in green and gold.
Sisters Chelsea and Amelia Wing, who play in the state women's soccer league, took the day off work to watch at the pub.
"We've been to quite a few games, we went to almost every Matildas game at the last World Cup when it was here in Australia,"
Brisbane friends Alex Barnett, Tudor Onciu and Tom Andrade had taken three weeks of annual leave to maximise their World Cup viewing opportunities, tying it into a Tasmanian holiday.
"We've tried to watch as many games as possible, getting up in the early hours at times, trying to support the Socceroos," Mr Onciu said.
Spectators at the Sports Garden Hotel in Launceston were glad to see Australia progress to the knockout round, set to take on Egypt, Iran, Belgium or New Zealand on July 4.
But, Jordan Russell admitted the nil-all score meant there were not as many highlights as the squad's first World Cup game against Türkiye.
"Honestly, I was hoping for the guys to put a bit more effort in, the draw wasn't too bad, we're still obviously going well,"
His friend Tom McLelland, who was able to get an early knock-off to dedicate the afternoon to the soccer, said there was a great atmosphere.
"A lot of people in lots of Australian gear and lots of kids around having fun, great family environment and everyone was intrigued the whole time," he said.
"It's really nice to be all united and cheering for the same team."
Western Australia
WA fans have braved stormy weather in Perth to support the Socceroos.
The atmosphere at a local venue in Belmont in Perth's east was abuzz as crowds gathered sporting their best green and gold to cheer on the players.
The venue manager told the ABC that every table had been booked ahead of today's match.
Supporter Leslie said she was proud of how far Australia had come in the competition.
"I think they're amazing," she said.
"They come from very, very different backgrounds, and they gel really well as a team."
The rain in Perth did not dampen spirits at Lynwood Senior High School either, with students crowded together in a classroom to watch the match.
The school has run its own soccer academy for the last two decades, and students put together their own version of the World Cup, playing matches during lunchtime.
Student Grace Dunn said the tournament allowed her academy classmates to bond over something they loved.
"Soccer is something we can all relate to; we all play, just having everyone together like this, the boys and the girls sitting together is really good," she said.
"I've enjoyed seeing everyone get into it and have a go, talking to each other,"
Her classmate Melek Halwani said the match had been inspiring.
"Watching them is definitely exciting … it kind of creates a sense of realism because it's like, now my dream is definitely reachable," she said.
Source: ABC News (AU)
