Australian fans take over Downtown Vancouver before FIFA World Cup match
Granville Street was painted green and gold on Saturday.
Australian soccer fans invaded Downtown Vancouver ahead of their country’s FIFA World Cup match against Türkiye, the first of the 2026 tournament scheduled at BC Place. It’s estimated that 10,000 Aussies came to Vancouver to see their beloved Socceroos.
Dublin Calling was the meeting point, but fans spilled well into the street, which has been pedestrianized for the duration of the tournament.
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Fans in yellow Australia jerseys came prepared with green and gold smoke bombs. They chanted and sang songs, including their national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.
And they drank a whole lot of beer.
Granville Street was packed. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
There were no shortage of onlookers, as locals got their first real taste of the World Cup.
Granville Street hasn’t looked like this since the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Green and gold everywhere. (Rob Williams/Daily Hive)
Not to be outdone, Türkiye also had a large contingent of fans in town. Fans met at Jonathan Rogers Park, and marched to the stadium together.
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Vancouver is hosting seven matches during the FIFA World Cup, including two group-stage matches featuring Canada.