Excitement levels are reaching fever pitch as fans prepare to ride another emotional roller-coaster when the Matildas take on England in the Women’s World Cup semi-final.
More than 80,000 people are expected to pack a sold-out Stadium Australia on Wednesday night, while thousands of others will tune in from live sites around the country.
They include the FIFA Fan Festival at Sydney’s Tumbalong Park, where more than 202,000 people have already enjoyed the site’s food, games and music throughout the tournament.
In Melbourne, AAMI Park will be transformed from sports stadium to live site, with the must-win game broadcast on the big screen.
Dozens of other fan zones have been set up across the country, while millions of viewers will tune in to the semi-final from home or their local establishment.
Broadcaster Channel Seven reported 4.17 million people tuned in to the Matildas’ quarter-final against France on Saturday night.
Nearly 12 million viewers have watched the Matildas’ matches live throughout the tournament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is encouraging Australians to rally behind the team that has inspired a nation.
“The whole of Australia is behind the Tillies, and we wish Sam Kerr and that wonderful team all the best,” he said on Tuesday.
Mr Albanese has stuck firm that there will be a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup, but the idea has been broadly opposed by the federal opposition and some state premiers.
