KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur police are expecting up to 300,000 football fans to gather at Dataran Merdeka on Sunday night for the live screening of the FIFA World Cup final, with organisers also hoping to secure a Malaysia Book of Records recognition for the country’s largest outdoor screen.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the programme will begin at 8pm, with activities continuing until the final whistle in the early hours of Monday (July 20).
Speaking to Scoop, Fadil said police have completed extensive security and traffic preparations to ensure the event proceeds safely and smoothly, describing it as one of the largest public gatherings expected in the capital this year.
“We are expecting around 300,000 people to attend the screening, and we hope Dataran Merdeka will be filled with football fans from across the country.
“We have made the necessary security and traffic arrangements to ensure the event is safe and well organised. We encourage everyone attending to cooperate with the authorities, follow instructions from security personnel and enjoy the occasion responsibly,” he said.
Fadil also urged the public, especially Kuala Lumpur residents, to be part of the historic occasion, which organisers hope will be recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for featuring the nation’s largest outdoor screen.
Earlier today, about 2,000 participants took part in the Uniti Merdeka 5km Community Run, one of the lead-up events to the World Cup final screening.
Organised by Yayasan Prihatin Nasional in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur police, various government agencies and 13 ministries, the programme also featured a lucky draw, with a motorcycle as the grand prize.
Fadil described the event as a success, commending participants for their cooperation and highlighting its role in strengthening ties between the police and the community.
“Everything went smoothly today, and we are grateful for the excellent cooperation shown by everyone who took part. The positive response reflects the strong support the community continues to give to programmes organised with the police.
“Initiatives such as this provide an important opportunity for us to engage directly with the public in a more informal setting. The relationship between the police and the community is inseparable, and we want to continue building trust, understanding and cooperation through programmes like these,” he said.
He added that activities at Dataran Merdeka will continue throughout Sunday before culminating in the live screening of the FIFA World Cup final later that evening. – July 18, 2026