Australia travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer, bidding to go further than ever before at the game&#city-fume/">8217;s biggest stage and reach their first-ever quarter-final.
Tony Popovic’s side secured their place at the tournament as runners-up in AFC third-round Group C, finishing with 19 points behind Japan.
That campaign included a landmark 1-0 victory over the Samurai Blue in Perth — Japan’s only qualifying defeat — which underlined the Socceroos’ growing belief under their new head coach.
Popovic, who took charge in September 2024 following Graham Arnold’s departure, steadied the ship at a critical moment, guiding Australia through an eight-game unbeaten run that sealed their spot in North America.
It will be the Socceroos’ sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall, with the squad arriving in good spirits despite a 1-0 friendly defeat to Mexico at the Rose Bowl.
The squad is notably youthful — 17 of the 26 players are set to make their World Cup debuts — but the group is also boosted by the experience of captain Mathew Ryan and forward Mathew Leckie, both of whom are set to appear at the tournament for a record fourth time, equalling Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan.
One significant blow came before a ball was kicked, with Riley McGree ruled out through a hamstring injury sustained in Middlesbrough’s Championship play-off final.
In a late-breaking twist, Cristian Volpato was included after switching his international allegiance from Italy to Australia just days before the squad announcement.
Australia have been drawn in Group D at the tournament along with co-hosts United States, Paraguay and Türkiye.
Australia 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Sunday, June 14th — Australia vs Türkiye — BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
- Friday, June 19th — USA vs Australia — Lumen Field, Seattle, USA
- Friday, June 26th — Paraguay vs Australia — Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
What time do Australia’s World Cup games kick-off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Australia vs Türkiye, 5am
- USA vs Australia, 8pm
- Paraguay vs Australia, 3am
Australia FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)
Defenders: Jordan Bos (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Kai Trewin (New York City FC), Milos Degenek (Apoel Nicosia), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK)
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC), Paul Okon Jr (Sydney FC), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian)
Forwards: Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Awer Mabil (Castellón), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)
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