Just like World Expos, sport has the power to bring together people from all backgrounds and cultures, which is why Australia’s national football team, the Socceroos, kicked off 2019 and the UAE’s Year of Tolerance with a crossbar challenge at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

The friendly competition took place on the Australia Pavilion plot in Expo 2020’s Mobility District. Participants attempted to kick a football against a crossbar – a feat which is trickier than it looks – offering a fun way to demonstrate the power of unity, tolerance and cooperation found in sport. 

The visit came just days before the Socceroos’ first match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, which will see 24 national teams come to the Emirates for a four-week festival of football. 

Playing with Expo 2020 team members and volunteers of different nationalities, the Socceroos were joined by representatives from Football Federation Australia and Justin McGowan, Australia’s Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai. 

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 community ambassadors, known as ‘Playmakers’, also took part in the challenge along with students from the Victoria International School of Sharjah. 

In line with its strong support for the Year of Tolerance theme for 2019, Expo 2020 will showcase the inclusive and diverse nature of the UAE to the world. 

A total of 190 countries have already confirmed their participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the highest ever figures for a World Expo.