Across Australia, proud supporters flaunted green and gold colors while cheering on the Socceroos in their draw against Paraguay, which earned them a spot in the World Cup knockout stage.
The team felt the nation’s enthusiasm firsthand when SBS reporters shared footage of jubilant children celebrating at an Australian primary school right at the end of the match.
“It’s truly amazing,” said star forward Nestory Irankunde.
“Seeing this makes me incredibly happy,” shared star defender Alessandro Circati.
“Witnessing their joy fills me with happiness, and knowing we contributed to their happiness is even better.”
“It gives you a bit of self satisfaction that we have put a smile on all these people’s faces and our journey isn’t over yet so hopefully we can continue our journey for as long as possible.”
Rowdy crowds packed Melbourne’s Federation Square, pushing it to maximum capacity by 10am. Multiple flares were let off and a small brawl broke out but the atmosphere was mostly positive, if charged.
Roughly 7,500 people packed into the live site to watch the match, which resulted in a 0-0 draw — but was sufficient to send Australia through to the knockout round of the tournament.
While the fan base was a mixture of ages, teenagers who should have been at school for the last day of term filled Fed Square, some wearing the Australian flag as a cape.
Chants of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” could be heard through the crowd while beach balls were bounced over the audience.
Some fans told SBS they had called in sick.
Ducking responsibilities to support the national team was a bit of a theme on Friday, given the 12pm AEST kick- off.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he expected employers would be understanding if staff failed to return to work after lunch if the Socceroos won, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said bosses should act “with thoughts of our national interest”.
Two unnamed fans told SBS News at Fed Square during the match: “It’s un-Australian not to take the sick leave to get it off.”
It was similar scenes at watch sites across the country.
In Adelaide, thousands of fans packed into The Drive to watch the match.
At Sydney’s main viewing site, Tumbalong Park, similar numbers were seen, with many fans also on the younger side.
“I’m missing school. It’s the last day of term for us, but you gotta support the Socceroos,” a fan told SBS News.
“I got told that about half the school is not at school today.”
While most fans were well behaved, three teenagers in Melbourne were issued penalty notices for riotous behaviour and given move-on notices. In Sydney, a 16-year-old was arrested at Tumbalong Park.
Australia managed to secure a convincing entry to the round of 32 with their clean sheet draw with Paraguay. They will face off against the second-placed team from Group G on 4 July.
Both major party leaders congratulated the team, with Opposition leader Angus Taylor referencing his famous digital blunder to congratulate the Socceroos. In 2019, he replied to his own Facebook post about extra car parking spaces at NSW railway stations with the comment: Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus.
Albanese said on social media that the team had made the country proud.
Group G’s runner-up could be Belgium, New Zealand, Egypt, or Iran, depending on how Saturday’s matches play out.
Given the scenes at the early starts during the 2022 men’s World Cup, it’s likely Australians will be setting their alarm clocks and packing out the live sites next weekend too for the 4 AM kick off on July 4.
— With additional reporting from the Australian Associated Press.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.