In brief
- World Cup screenings in Melbourne's Federation Square will go ahead as planned.
- The decision to cancel the screenings drew pushback from fans, players and sporting bodies.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has quickly overruled an unpopular decision that World Cup screenings at Melbourne's Federation Square would not go ahead.
"Yesterday, Melbourne Arts Precinct decided that Fed Square won't show Socceroos matches on the big screen," Allen said in a statement posted to social media on Thursday. "I disagree with that decision — and I am overturning it."
Allan noted that the Victorian government is now looking at further events and live sites for supporters to attend beyond Fed Square but did not provide details on when or where those events would be held.
Addressing security concerns raised by the site's managing body, Allan said that, despite there being "a risk of bad behaviour from a few d-ckheads at every public gathering", a police and security presence would be on hand to keep fans safe.
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The original decision was met with a wave of pushback from fans, stars of the game and Football Australia.
"After careful consideration, we've made the decision not to show the World Cup on Fed Square's Big Screen this year," Melbourne Arts Precinct director and chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said in a statement on Wednesday.
Melbourne's top civic space has long been a focal point for major sporting events, drawing thousands for live screenings during previous iterations of the FIFA World Cup.
The move frustrated fans, players and organisers of the sport alike, with former Socceroos captain Craig Foster labelling the move "absurd".
"It's an important time for Aussies to feel together, watch the world's largest sporting event, share in the national spirit," he wrote on X.
"All stakeholders should be working to overturn this absurd decision."
Matildas captain Sam Kerr also took to social media on Wednesday, sharing an Instagram post announcing the decision along with the caption: "Booooooooooo".
Football Australia joined the calls, saying it had expressed its disappointment with the state government and Melbourne Arts Precinct.
"Federation Square has created some of the most memorable moments in Australian sporting history," chief executive Martin Kugeler said.
"This decision is disappointing, and we are asking our fans to join us in calling on the Melbourne Arts Precinct and the Victorian government to correct their decision in the best interests of football fans, local businesses and all Victorians."
Federation Square has hosted thousands of fans to watch the Aussie side's fixtures since the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Videos of feverish celebrations at the venue were shared widely when Australia advanced to the round of 16 during the 2022 Qatar tournament.
Several incidents marred the screening, including revellers setting off projectiles.
The Socceroos will make their seventh appearance at the men's World Cup finals and have drawn Türkiye, the United States and Paraguay in the group stage of the tournament, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US from 11 June to 19 July.
You can watch all 104 games of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
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