The 2026 World Cup matches will not be shown following inappropriate behavior by fans at the last public viewing party in 2023.
Published May 6, 2026
Australian football players, fans and officials have criticized the ban on screening World Cup matches at Melbourne’s Federation Square, citing poor fan behavior during Australian matches in previous tournaments.
Venue management announced Wednesday that for the first time in at least 20 years, no World Cup matches will be shown on the public plaza’s big screen.
Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, hundreds of thousands of fans have flocked to the heart of Melbourne’s central business district to watch Australia matches in the square.
A video of fans celebrating enthusiastically after Australia reached the last 16 at the 2022 Qatar tournament went viral.
However, a number of incidents marred the celebrations, including fans being injured by flares and projectiles.
Fans stormed the barricades during the 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-final between Australia and England, prompting management to cancel plans to screen the Matildas’ third-place match later in the square.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision not to show the World Cup on the Big Screen in Federal Square this year,” Arts Melbourne director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick said in a statement.
“This was due to the actions of a small number of people at a previous screening, which was completely unacceptable and damaging to Federal Square.”
The decision sparked a furious reaction from Australian football players, officials and fan groups, who argued that the vast majority of well-behaved supporters were being forced to pay a minority.
“Photos and videos of Federal Square during the 2022 World Cup went viral around the world and we hope this can be repeated,” Australian Football Supporters Association president Patrick Clancy told local media.
Football Australia said it was extremely disappointed and called on the Melbourne Arts Board to rescind the decision.
Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler said: “Melbourne is one of Australia’s sporting and multicultural centres, and this decision goes against that tradition.”
“Federation Square has been home to some of the most memorable moments in Australian sporting history, dating back to footballers’ historic 2006 FIFA World Cup matches and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are asking fans to join us in calling on Arts District Melbourne and the Victorian Government to amend their decision in the best interests of football fans, local businesses and all Victorians.”
Australian women’s team captain Sam Kerr condemned the decision, writing “boo boo” on his social media accounts.
Australia will face Turkiye, Paraguay and the USA in the World Cup from June 11 to July 19.
