Updated June 26, 2026 — 11:39am,first published 11:18amA rogue flare has ignited over a sea of green and gold at Federation Square ahead of Australia’s high-stakes World Cup clash with Paraguay.Socceroos fans braved a chilly morning to queue before sunrise, forcing authorities to open the gates early and the live site quickly reached capacity.Socceroos fans have packed Federation Square ahead of the crucial World Cup match.Justin McManusCrowd controllers resorted to megaphones to send hundreds more Socceroos supporters down the Yarra to watch the game on the big screen at AAMI Park.Federation Square resembled an outdoor nightclub early as fans, many in their late teens and early 20s, revved themselves up in the countdown to the 12pm kick-off.Impatient fans set off a flare at Federation Square before kick-off.Justin McManusA DJ had fans jumping to a mix of Australian favourites and classic hits, including Men at Work’s anthemic Down Under, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond and Gala’s Freed From Desire.Less than an hour before kick-off, a flare was set off over Federation Square as the crowd started getting impatient ahead of the big game.Many teenagers among the group kept breaking into football chants, jumping and occasionally throwing plastic bottles.Rowdy fans sang and chanted before the big match. Justin McManusA fan was removed from Federation Square on Friday morning.Justin McManus“I feel like I’m at a school excursion,” soccer fan Philip Klenkowski, 32, said.The FIFO worker luckily didn’t have to take the day off work. He came into the city alone but said he’d made many mates.“Everyone’s super friendly,” he said.Some young fans had their parents’ permission to skip the last day of term.Justin McManusRingwood local Sam Pragnell, 21, and Ferntree Gully resident James Ventura, 22, were excited to be among thousands who made it inside Federation Square.“Pretty loud and electric, a little rough,” Pragnell said.Charlie Nagy came into the CBD last week for the Socceroos’ 0-2 loss to the US. He left his Watsonia home at 7.30am with two friends, hoping to secure a spot again for Friday’s clash but the gates had been closed.They were still hoping to bag a spot inside. “I’ll be behind the barrier, don’t worry,” he said.“We’ll make the party.”Jeremy Lawler, 18, said his parents supported him skipping the last day of term to watch the Socceroos with mates.“It’s so loud but everyone’s just cheering on each other,” he said.The mood has been jubilant all morning, with groups frequently breaking out into chants.“It’s an absolutely crazy atmosphere,” Rocco Colaci said.Socceroos fans head for Federation Square ahead of kick-off.Justin McManusHe and his mate Sinan Ucar were relieved to make it into Federation Square after lining up from 7am.Shortly before kick-off, some younger fans were still hoping to sneak in, attempting to jump barriers and pry open gates.But police and security were keeping a close eye on the crowd.Fans were queuing hours before gates opened at Federation Square.Justin McManus“I’m gonna come down there in five minutes, so go over there,” one police officer wearing a riot helmet told fans. “The security guard doesn’t want you here, so move on.”Elsewhere in Melbourne’s CBD, workers donned Socceroos scarves and shirts on their way to the office.A much smaller group of Japanese supporters gathered in the neighbouring Transport bar to watch their team draw 1-1 against Sweden and book a berth in the knockout stage as the second-placed nation from group F.Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.From our partners