World Cup 2026 Australia thread

[JS96]

Fed square closed for the world cup....unbelievable

Their management go on about how it's damaging for the place. AFL definitely involved and the police probably don't fancy it. Such a shame as a lot of it was great last time.

Is suspect such events now will also draw in ratbags looking for a bit of trouble but that's where good policing sorts it quickly.

Some other place would be smart to offer it.

 

[Beretta]

Fed Square slammed as iconic World Cup tradition scrapped

‘All stakeholders should be working to overturn this absurd decision.’

7news.com.au

what a joke.

 

[patjennings]

Awful decision - State election looming maybe football fans will remember this when they vote

Decision made in 2023. AAMI the likely site

In 2023, the live site was axed for remaining tournaments after rowdy fans set off flares and broke down barricades during a semi-final between the Matildas and England.

Victoria Police said more than 50 flares were thrown into heaving crowds that reached a capacity of about 12,000 an hour before the clash.

Melbourne Arts Precinct chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said the decision was made due to a "small number of people at previous screenings ... (displaying) simply unacceptable and damaging behaviour to Fed Square".

Patrick Clancy, the chair of the Football Supporters Association Australia, slammed the decision to axe the site and argued in favour of the fans' "passionate support".

"The pictures and videos of Fed Square during the World Cup 2022 went viral around the world. We want to see this repeated," he said.

"We most recently saw this again with the Matildas games during the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

"The atmosphere at live sites, including Federation Square, was extraordinary and the support passionate."

It’s understood that other live sites will be organised instead.

 

[Beretta]

AFL Mafia

 

[Barca4life]

What a disgrace, hopefully another live site can be organised and the fans fill it out.

You cant stop people supporting their own country...what they are doing?

 

[Barca4life]

If healthy Calum Nieuwenhof would be a welcome edition, one of the best progressive passers of the ball since Aaron Mooy a shame he's too injury prone to be involved.

 

[tsf]

Maybe if we wave Palestine flags the arts precinct boss will welcome us to congregate?

 

[tsf]

One thing I will say though, there were some absolute fucking bellends throwing flares into the crowd. But you do not blame everyone else for this. It would not happen with other codes.

 

[JS96]

The risky behaviour with flares just isn't on. It's hard to catch culprits and some idiots aren't even deterred by a 10k fine. A massive shame now. Given it's June it'll probably be pissing down the whole time anyway. Maybe some mini live sites along the river or something would work.

 

[patjennings]

The risky behaviour with flares just isn't on. It's hard to catch culprits and some idiots aren't even deterred by a 10k fine. A massive shame now. Given it's June it'll probably be pissing down the whole time anyway. Maybe some mini live sites along the river or something would work.

It will be AAMI. Controlled entry and CCTV .

 

[patjennings]

Given the backlash I would expect all parties will support a rethink in the next few weeks. Otherwise it could be a defining issue for the Vic election.

 

[HappyGuus]

Adam Peacock goes off at the Fed Square decision:

 

[JS96]

Given the backlash I would expect all parties will support a rethink in the next few weeks. Otherwise it could be a defining issue for the Vic election.

All a ploy. Create a problem and provide a solution.

 

[jas88]

Leckie.. CM? I haven't been following him in a league. But the guy had the first touch of a rapist. Is the league really that low quality he stands out at CM? LOL is he playing as an 8? Always thought he had a decent tackle on him and could defend.. could of been a decent wingback. But he was the only one scoring for us for a while there.

 

[JS96]

Leckie.. CM? I haven't been following him in a league. But the guy had the first touch of a rapist. Is the league really that low quality he stands out at CM? LOL

He's been shifted there and it's less of a conventional midfield role. Something of a roamer who has a different skill set. We need to get past Leckie, Irvine and Behich and let the next generation in. I'm starting to think tournament experience may not be valuable if we hold on to nostalgia. Irvine shouldn't be starting all the time.

 

[jas88]

He's been shifted there and it's less of a conventional midfield role. Something of a roamer who has a different skill set. We need to get past Leckie, Irvine and Behich and let the next generation in. I'm starting to think tournament experience may not be valuable if we hold on to nostalgia. Irvine shouldn't be starting all the time.

Wait a minute! We got one. Pretty sure volpato was a regista early on? Good.old poppa talking bollocks as usual. He's been so lucky to get results.

 

[patjennings]

Leckie.. CM? I haven't been following him in a league. But the guy had the first touch of a rapist. Is the league really that low quality he stands out at CM? LOL is he playing as an 8? Always thought he had a decent tackle on him and could defend.. could of been a decent wingback. But he was the only one scoring for us for a while there.

Holding midfielder and Joe Marston medallist in the 2025 Grand Final. He and Ugarkovic completely outplayed Teague and Valadon.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Awful decision - State election looming maybe football fans will remember this when they vote

Not the politics thread but come on Vics vote Liberal or National.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Overall fuck the Victorian government for doing this shit. I hope they put live sites elsewhere, in Victoria and nationwide.

 

[JS96]

Adam Peacock goes off at the Fed Square decision:

Sensible voices. The FA have come out denouncing this. Is there anyway to set up the event without much government or party pooper involvement and have decent funding? Yes, they're bastards but surely a ban can sponsor this at a different location. AAMI seems to be it at present.