Facebook, SBS + The Socceroos to deliver global live stream from biggest stadium in the world

Football fans around the globe will be treated to the first global live streamed Facebook event from Australia on Tuesday 20th May, from 5pm AEST.

Facebook Australia has partnered with World Cup official football broadcaster SBS and ex-Socceroos striker and SBS football analyst David Zdrilic to interview members of the newly announced Socceroos squad, live for fans across Australia and the globe, so they can ask their heroes questions before they leave our shores for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil next month.

Of the 1.2 billion people who are on Facebook, some 500 million are soccer fans and in Australia alone there are 3.4 million fans of the world game.

Among all types of content, sport can be considered the most inherently social, whether it is live at a game, at a sports bar or on Facebook, it brings people together.

According to Facebook Australia’s managing director William Easton, Facebook is seeing more and more people join the conversations about sport and athletic events year over year, continuing to give athletes unprecedented access to their fans.

Says Easton: “This is a unique opportunity for Facebook’s 12 million Australian users and 3.4 million soccer fans to get close to the Socceroos and ask them the burning questions ahead of the World Cup.”

This World Cup is likely to be the biggest social media event the world has ever seen, and SBS will be harnessing all the buzz across Facebook throughout the event.

Says Toby Forage, executive producer for SBS Sport Online: “Connecting the Socceroos with their fans through Facebook is an important first step in our coverage of the World Cup, and we’re delighted to be bringing another unique event to Australia for the first time.

“We have a strong history in broadcasting the World Cup, being the first network in Australia to bring every match of the tournament to televisions across the nation live, back in 1990. Our partnership with Facebook further strengthens our history, and also brings Facebook’s audience to the carnival with us.”

Says David Gallop, Football Federation Australia CEO: “The Socceroos are embarking on an exciting adventure to take on the world’s best football teams in Brazil. The Socceroos can unite all Australians like no other National sporting team and meaningful interaction with football fans is a huge part of our mission.”

Socceroos fans are invited to submit their questions for the Socceroos at SBS’ The World Game Facebook page.

SBS will broadcast every match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil live and exclusive from 13 June to 14 July.

WHAT: Global live-streamed Q&A for fans with the Socceroos on Facebook, hosted by former Socceroo & SBS sports commentator David Zdrillic

WHEN: Tuesday, 20 May from 5pm

WHERE: Hosted on SBS’ The World Game Facebook page