Australia and Egypt party in Dallas with beer, kangaroos and pharaohs

Australia and Egypt fans celebrate before their round of 32 showdown
Australia and Egypt fans celebrate before their round of 32 showdownFabio Russomando

With crates of beer, kangaroo costumes, pharaohs and banter, the fans of Australia and Egypt turned the area around the AT&T Stadium into a vibrant display of colour and folklore, delivering one of the liveliest pre-match atmospheres of the World Cup.

A supermarket right in front of the AT&T Stadium. For many Australian fans who had come to Arlington for the round of 16 against Egypt, it felt like a gift from fate.

Shelves were emptied and trolleys loaded with crates of beer, then wheeled across the road to the stadium area, with little regard for the strict Texan laws that ban open containers of alcohol in public places.

Australian fans
Fabio Russomando

While the Socceroos fans cooled off with a pint as they waited to enter the ground, the Egyptian supporters began to take over the stadium area in their usual "pharaoh" outfits, catching the eye of many amused American fans enjoying the spectacle.

Egyptian fans
Egyptian fansFabio Russomando

The Australians were no less impressive, donning full-body kangaroo costumes despite the sweltering heat—a real sauna, with 36 degrees outside.

Australian fans in Arlington
Fabio Russomando

And while a group of Aussie supporters proudly showed off a long line of empty beer cups from the hours before the match, a fan of the African side drew everyone's attention with a witty sign.

"The pharaohs didn't just build the pyramids, they also created the mummies," read the banner, depicting a frightened Australian kangaroo locked inside a sarcophagus.

Egyptian fans
Fabio Russomando

Banter and smiles set the tone for the entire pre-match, in a festive atmosphere that continued during the game itself. Inside the stadium, at least at first glance, the red of the Egyptian fans seemed to far outnumber the Australian yellow.

The goal by Ashour, after just 13 minutes, only reinforced this impression. The roar from the Egyptian section silenced Popovic's supporters for a moment, sending the North African fans into raptures.

The exterior of the AT&T Stadium
The exterior of the AT&T StadiumFabio Russomando

Meanwhile, a fan dressed as a pharaoh let his excitement get the better of him: "Let's beat Australia, let's beat Messi and reach the final."

World Cup 2026

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