Facebook will beam out its first live streamed event from Australia to Football fans globally on Tuesday, May 20.
The live stream will feature interviews with the newly announced Socceroos squad and give fans to chance to ask the team questions ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The digital broadcast is a result of a deal between Facebook Australia and SBS, the official World Cup broadcaster.
William Easton, Facebook Australia’s managing director, said: "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.”
Of the 1.2 billion people who use Facebook globally, around 500 million are soccer fans. The statement also described sport to be the “most inherently social” form of content, as fans share, discuss, rejoice and commiserate sporting highs and lows via social media.
The World Cup is “likely to be the biggest social media event the world has ever seen” the release said, with SBS to harness social buzz on Facebook throughout the event.
Toby Forage, executive producer for SBS Sport Online, said: “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.”
Socceroos fans can submit their questions on SBS’ The World Game Facebook page.
Former Socceroos and SBS sports commentator, David Zdrillic, will interview the team and put fans’ questions to them on May 20 from 5pm.
