Australia is bracing for a major FIFA World Cup showdown against Paraguay, expected to bring bustling activity to a halt as pubs, public viewing areas, and office watch parties fill up. Millions of fans across the country are preparing to tune in to this high-stakes match.
As the Socceroos aim to secure their spot in the Round of 32, employers are gearing up for a possible increase in sudden absences and requests to work from home. This final group match, set squarely in the middle of a workday, kicks off at 12pm AEST on Friday. Fans can catch the live action for free on SBS or SBS On Demand.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Australia. A victory or even a draw will ensure their progression, but a loss could not only end their campaign but also set them against a more formidable foe in the next stage of the knockout rounds.
In a nod to the country’s spirited sports culture, one might recall former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s iconic statement after Australia clinched the America’s Cup in 1983: “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.”
Although current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hasn’t endorsed quite the same leniency, he has gently urged employers to extend compassion to employees supporting the Socceroos, invoking national pride as they handle workplace absences.
“I know that Australian workers will be, of course, very passionate about the Socceroos — and I know that Australian employers will be generous in their approach to these things,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“I’m not giving people instructions … common sense should apply.”
Albanese added that his morning meetings will also be finishing earlier so his team can watch the game.
“I’ve got a Ministry meeting here in Parliament House this morning. It will end sharply at 11:30am, I assure you, so that people can get in front of their TV screen and watch it on SBS.”
“It will be a great couple of hours. I’m sure the whole of Australia will be cheering on the Socceroos.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he thought employers would “understand” if workers didn’t return to the office, should the Socceroos win.
“I suspect there might be a few long-ish lunches, particularly if we win,” he told reporters in Canberra on Friday morning.
“I think a lot of people might be finding a reason not to go back to the office after lunch if we win, and you know, that’s a good thing.”
“I think a lot of employers around the country would understand if people don’t come back on site or back to the office after lunch, if we win.”
Millions of Australians expected to tune in
Nearly five million Australians tuned in for the Socceroos’ opening match against Türkiye, while more than 3.4 million set their alarms early to watch them take on the USA.
A similar figure is expected today for the midday clash, with many workers to be glued to their phones or crowded around lunchroom screens.
Research commissioned by SBS through the World Cup Watchers’ Rights Association found 71 per cent of Australians believe employers should simply allow staff to watch World Cup matches at work.
The survey also found 38 per cent had watched sport during a work call, and one in five had muted a call so they could focus on a game.
Socceroos supporter group Active Support has dubbed today the “great Australian Socceroos sickie”, claiming a “mysterious case of football fever” is sweeping the nation.
Assistant coach Paul Okon has even called on the prime minister to give Australians the day off so they can get behind the team.
Following an SBS social media call-out, dozens of Australians shared their plans for the match, with many revealing they had booked annual leave months in advance.
Others said their workplaces had organised pub bookings, while some schools planned to show the game in class.
One construction worker, who requested anonymity to protect his job, told SBS News he would be “chucking a sickie” and pulling his children out of school so they could watch together.
“I don’t get too elaborate with excuses. I’ll likely tell them I have an appointment,” he said.
The self-confessed football fanatic said he had already been following the World Cup whenever possible while on the job.
“I think it’s going to be pretty obvious [why I called in sick],” he said.
“If I was found out, I would be one of the first on the chopping block.
“All the bosses know that I’m just listening to the games all day while I’m working away, so it is what it is. For me, it’s unmissable.”
Another supporter said he had scheduled an early-morning text message to his boss, claiming to be suffering from food poisoning.
‘Huge opportunity’ for employers
While productivity may take a hit, Natasha Hawker, managing director of HR consultancy Employee Matters, said employers who embrace the World Cup could reap other benefits.
“It’s a huge opportunity from a cultural and team-building perspective,” she told SBS News.
“Employers can use this as an opportunity to bring team members together, cheer on the Socceroos, build engagement and strengthen communication … given we’re such a sporting-mad nation.”
She encouraged businesses to organise watch parties and encourage staff to wear green and gold.
One workplace doing exactly that is Those Voiceover Guys, a commercial audio production company in Ballarat, Victoria.
The business has booked a local pub for staff, with the boss picking up the tab. Any jobs that land during the game have to wait until they’re back — or, if the Socceroos win, until Monday.
“A lot of people say the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation,” senior producer Dav Byrne told SBS News.
“I think the Socceroos’ games are absolutely the games that stop the nation.”
Vincent, an IT worker in Melbourne, will also be watching on the clock after convincing management to screen the match on a large television.
“HR was more than happy to accommodate that, so we’re all getting food together and getting ready for the 12 o’clock kick-off,” he told SBS News.
“It unites everyone. As Australians, we all get around sport, don’t we?
“Especially in Melbourne, but there’s definitely a sense of pride in seeing your nation represented at a World Cup.”
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.