Hassan Hassan and Lucy FogartyJune 25, 2026 — 4:19pmA giant TV screen, a high-stakes World Cup clash and a Zooper Dooper in hand — for the students at Port Melbourne Primary, the last day of term doesn’t get much better than this.As in many classrooms around Victoria, the traditional final-day lessons are being traded for green and gold watch parties.Children at Port Melbourne Primary School train for a student v staff match as part of Friday’s World Cup celebrations.Justin McManus“Let them watch it,” Socceroos defender Jason Geria smiled as he made a plea to principals and employers earlier this week. “Wheel TVs into classrooms … they’ve all got iPads anyway,” he laughed.Soon after came an official endorsement from Education Minister Ben Carroll, who publicly urged all principals to allow students to watch the Socceroos’ crucial clash against Paraguay.Port Melbourne Primary principal Tom Cain didn’t need convincing – the school had already sent out an email to parents encouraging children to wear green and gold or soccer guernseys to Friday’s watch party. “I think that it’s such a great moment to get behind the national team,” Cain said. “It’s really special.”Staff and pupils are ready to celebrate the beautiful game at Port Melbourne Primary. Justin McManusOn the other side of town, John Fawkner Secondary College students have been soaking up the occasion for weeks now. The school, from which Melbourne Victory runs its School of Football program, recently installed double screens in each classroom.Zoe Slatter, who runs the soccer academy, says it isn’t just Socceroos matches that the students are interested in.“They want to watch all the matches live in classes as well as on their school iPads; they can’t get enough of World Cup content,” she said. “It’s a big Carlton [Blues, AFL] area, but no one’s talking about Carlton at the moment.”It isn’t just schools preparing for a disruption; bosses around Victoria are bracing for a low-productivity afternoon as a wave of employees choose to work from home — and stay far away from their desks — ahead of the noon kick-off.Restaurants and pubs are ready for the crowds. Lujan De Felice has organised Melbourne’s main Paraguayan watch party at Papelon restaurant in Footscray, and says the game represents more than just sport – it’s the opportunity to showcase her culture.With about 500 Paraguayans around the country now calling Australia home, De Felice said the game was an important way share to their traditions.“For us, in Paraguay, [the World Cup] is like a religion,” she said. “When we actually qualified for it, it was like a national holiday. For those of us here [in Australia] now, we can enjoy it from a distance, but we can come together and enjoy it as more of a cultural experience.”Papelon will open its doors at 11.30am on Friday. Guests will be treated to historical stories about the country, traditional food and (if they win) maybe even a livestream from the streets of Paraguay to join in with the street-party celebrations.“I’m very grateful to Australia, and how multicultural it is,” De Felice said. “The idea that you can still live here, but keep your culture and your tradition means so much. Even if we have a small community here, there are still people here to maintain the connection and tradition.“Doing these activities and events keeps me connected to Paraguay. Whoever wants to watch the game and whoever wants to have a cultural experience and learn something new is welcome.”From schools to official live sites, theatres to restaurants … there are countless ways to mark the crucial Socceroos clash around Victoria.Here’s a look across the board:Federation SquareFederation Square, where flares were set off on Saturday during the last match, is taking a cautious approach to Friday’s watch party.“Don’t be responsible for stopping the livestream – leave your flares on your boat,” the venue’s management said in a post on social media this week.“Be a good human, look out for each other. See anything that worries you, alert staff or text us.”Melbourne Arts Precinct, which manages Federation Square, said it had “reviewed and, where required, strengthened security and crowd management measures” ahead of Friday’s game.“We’re working closely with Victoria Police and other stakeholders to create the safest possible experience for everyone,” a spokesperson said.The spokesperson noted Federation Square had a capacity of 7000, compared with AAMI Park, which can admit up to 30,000 people. Fans will be redirected to AAMI Park once the square is full.Other live sitesAt AAMI Park, the gates open at 10.30am, 90 minutes before kick off. The venue recommends people take public transport or book parking the night before if they’re driving in.At both Federation Square and AAMI Park, security will complete bag checks as fans enter.Marvel StadiumWhile Docklands didn’t feature as a live site for the first two Socceroos matches at this World Cup, it’s come out all guns blazing for Friday’s clash.Aside from a big screen with the game at Stadium Square (gates 2 and 3, southern end), fans flocking to Marvel will enjoy foosball tables, fan challenges, live DJs, food, drinks and a photobooth.Broadmeadows Town HallDuring Australia’s first game, against Turkey, more than 1000 people attended the live site in Broadmeadows.Now, for the second major event in its World Cup program, Hume City Council is offering three full days of fun at the site, featuring 10 matches on the big screen over the weekend. There will also be movies, live music, food trucks, a rock climbing wall, and other kid-friendly and community activities.Friday’s event lasts from 9am to 7pm and attendees are allowed to bring their own seating, food and drinks to the family-friendly event, minus alcohol. There will be security onsite and free parking in front of the town hall.In Dandenong, the match will be live on the big screen in Harmony Square from midday.The regionsMuch as in Broadmeadows, the cities of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon are hosting live events in Alfred Deakin Place, Hargreaves Street Mall, Johnstone Park and GPAC forecourt respectively. All are encouraging attendees to show up early to secure seating, preferably 11am at the latest.PubsAll the usual suspects for round-the-clock live sport in the Melbourne CBD – including The Imperial and the Royal Melbourne Hotel – are being joined by a plethora of suburban venues screening this game.The Kingston Hotel in west Richmond and the Beehive in Hawthorn are among those putting on special food and drink deals to win the fight to secure soccer fans’ business. The Beehive kicks off at 11am.To the north, the Junction Club in Moonee Ponds is providing several screens and meal deals to lure in customers.In the west, the Rosamond Bowling Club in Maribyrnong is opening at 11.30am, and is also offering social bowls, a happy hour and a raffle later into the afternoon.In Footscray, the Vic Hotel has been granted extended trading hours for the match, while in Yarraville Kindred Studios will project the match on two big screens, offering free parking and drink specials during the game.More:FIFA World CupSocceroosPrimary schoolFor subscribersFrom our partners