Controversial political activist Drew Pavlou has attacked the Socceroos fan culture as “excruciatingly woke” and “soy infused” amid videos of anti-Trump chants sung by supporters in the United States. His post has sparked a backlash just as Australia prepares
The Socceroos are heading into a do-or-die clash with Egypt, but one influencer’s description of the team’s World Cup fan culture has turned match-day tension into something louder, meaner, and more personal.
Controversial political activist Drew Pavlou posted on X claiming the Socceroos’ fan culture is so “woke” it is “embarrassing”. His take—viewed more than 41,000 times—arrived as the Australia team prepares for their World Cup match against Egypt.
“‘The soy infused anti American Socceroos fan chants are extremely embarrassing,’ Pavlou wrote.”
He added that he was “literally in the US following the Socceroos at the World Cup,” but “doesn’t understand why the fan culture is so excruciatingly woke.” Pavlou’s anger was aimed at chants that have been recorded while supporters are in the United States.
One video showed Aussie fans singing. “Aussie boys are on a bender/Donald Trump’s a sex offender.” Pavlou followed that up by pointing to another chant: “We’re getting deported!” The line was reportedly sung to the tune of “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes as supporters took aim at the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration.
The post also landed in a wider culture-war atmosphere around the Socceroos—where the team has been pulled into political debate involving One Nation supporters.
Pavlou’s remarks came after figures from the Labor and Greens parties told One Nation supporters they should not back the Socceroos because of the stars’ multicultural heritage. That background. and the chants recorded in the US. are what framed Pavlou’s claim that the fan culture has become “excruciatingly woke.”.
When a commenter asked why Pavlou believes the team’s fan culture is so “woke,” he said Australia’s dislike of Trump stems from “tall poppy syndrome.” He then pivoted to a complaint about what he described as forced political messaging around the tournament.
“There are literally a bunch of guys I’ve seen in the US travelling around with an anti One Nation banner which is so forced and ridiculous considering it’s the World Cup,” Pavlou wrote.
Other commenters pushed back hard. Some argued that the anti-Trump feeling is based on Trump’s actions—pointing to claims that he “started a completely unnecessary war and tariffed us which directly affects our bank accounts.” Others dismissed Pavlou’s framing of “tall poppy” as nonsense. with one reply branding it “a toxic. noxious weed. ” and another calling Pavlou’s theory “bulls**t.”.
One response said Pavlou’s tone was “over the top and not really needed at a sporting event. ” while another said. “It’s over the top and not really needed at a sporting event. ” repeating the same idea in a sharper voice of rejection. “Slowly the tide is turning. ” another commenter wrote. as the debate split between those who felt he was calling out something excessive and those who believed he was misreading why the chants exist.
The controversy didn’t stop at politics and football fandom. It also intersected with a separate debate about what the Socceroos should be singing.
Socceroos fans were told to stop singing Men At Work’s classic song “Down Under” at the World Cup because the nation has diversified and “outgrown it.” Pedestrian Sport posted: “While the timeless classic undeniably brings a sense of nostalgia for a certain demographic of fans. a growing sentiment across modern Australia suggests the national sporting identity has completely outgrown the 1980s pub-rock era.”.
Pedestrian Sport added that “With a highly diverse. ultra confident generation of athletes like 20 year old sensation Nestory Irankunda currently taking over the global stage. the sonic landscape representing the country overseas arguably needs to reflect that exact same explosive. contemporary energy.”.
The reaction to Pedestrian Sport’s post was swift and harsh. Fans urged the outlet to “delete this” in the comments. One user called it the “Worst take of the entire World Cup,” while another added, “Who even thought of uploading this? Pedestrian just give up. You haven’t been popular since 2016.”
Taken together, the reactions to Pavlou’s “soy infused” jab and the outcry over “Down Under” show a tournament that’s already carrying enormous pressure on the pitch—now tugged by competing ideas of who Australian football is for, and what supporters should sing when the stakes rise.
Socceroos Egypt World Cup Drew Pavlou X anti-Trump chants Seven Nation Army Men At Work Down Under Nestory Irankunda One Nation Labor Greens culture war
Wait so they’re mad about chants? I thought sports was just sports.
This Drew guy sounds like he’s doing the most. Also “soy infused”?? 😂 Like bro it’s a chant in a stadium not a grocery store.
I don’t even get why people are linking deported chants to “woke.” If they’re singing “Donald Trump’s a sex offender” then that’s just… not it. But also maybe he’s right about it being political? Either way seems like the fans should chill before the Egypt game.
Sounds like everybody’s mad for different reasons. One side says the Socceroos fans are “woke” and the other side’s like “don’t back them” because of multicultural stuff? That’s kinda crazy. And the deported thing sounds like it’s about Trump’s immigration, but they’re yelling it at a soccer match so idk. Like why is this even a headline when they should be talking about the Egypt clash and tactics and stuff. Also Drew’s in the US following them?? weird flex.