A media outlet has faced widespread criticism for suggesting that Australian football fans should stop chanting "Land Down Under" by Men At Work at the FIFA World Cup. The outlet argued that the 1981 pub-rock anthem is outdated and that Australia has "outgrown it" in favor of sounds that reflect a more contemporary national identity.
Pedestrian Sport published a piece on Instagram questioning the tradition, noting that the song was played following the Socceroos' 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver. The outlet proposed that the nation's sporting identity should evolve, suggesting that a "highly diverse, ultra confident generation of athletes" represented by figures like 20-year-old sensation Nestory Irankunda, requires a soundtrack with "explosive, contemporary energy."
They suggested rebalancing playlists to include "homegrown cultural phenomena like ONEFOUR" to capture the "authentic sound of modern Australian youth" and shift the stadium atmosphere from a "polite singalong into a genuinely intimidating powerhouse." The piece concluded that maintaining a "decades old formula risks leaving the presentation feeling entirely disconnected from the very demographics driving the game and culture forward today."
However, the suggestion was met with strong disapproval from fans. Many commenters urged the outlet to "delete this" post, with one user calling it the "Worst take of the entire World Cup." Another commenter sarcastically noted the shared experience of thousands of fans singing the song in unison, questioning why it needed to change. The strong negative reaction indicates that "Land Down Under" remains a beloved tradition among Australian supporters at sporting events.
The song has been a staple at Socceroos games throughout the World Cup, played over PA systems and chanted enthusiastically by fans, often serving as a nod to national pride. Despite the media outlet's critique, the overwhelming sentiment from fans suggests the tradition is likely to continue.