Packed pubs and skiving school: Australian fans nurse pints over laptops to cheer on Socceroos

Packed pubs and skiving school highlight how Australians treated the Socceroos’ World Cup push as a nationwide event, even during work and school hours. On Friday afternoon, Australia drew 0-0 with Paraguay to secure progression to the World Cup 2026 knockout stage for the second straight tournament. The match was played entirely within AEST working hours for the first time in Socceroos World Cup history. In Sydney, Golden Barley’s owner Jamie Hayman and his brother Rick, who also runs construction admin alongside staff, watched together with fans nursing pints on laptops. At the Vic on the Park, hundreds turned up, including Sophie and her son Orson, who skipped school’s final day. With no goals through 80 minutes, the atmosphere shifted from rain-soaked frustration to late-push cheers, underscoring football’s growing hold.