The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, features the Socceroos in Group D alongside the USA, Paraguay, and Turkey. With all matches broadcast live on SBS and SBS On Demand, Australian fans can follow every kick. Here is your complete guide to the tournament.
How to Watch the Socceroos World Cup Games in Australia
All matches are televised live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and streamed via SBS On Demand. The Guardian is also live-blogging all 104 matches, with reporter Jack Snape on the ground covering the Socceroos as part of a 15-strong team of correspondents across Canada, Mexico, and the US, plus journalists in Australia providing reaction. Daily podcasts from Football Weekly and analysis on Guardian Australia socials complement the coverage.
Socceroos Fixtures and Kick-off Times
All times are AEST. Group stage matches kick off between 5am and 2pm, with knockout games potentially earlier. The schedule:
- Game 1: Australia 2-0 Turkey, BC Place, Vancouver
- Game 2: USA 2-0 Australia, Seattle Stadium
- Game 3: Friday 26 June – Paraguay v Australia, 12pm, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
The top two teams from each group advance to the last 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams. With the USA already securing top spot and Turkey eliminated, Australia and Paraguay battle for second and third place.
Possible Last 32 Matches Depending on Group D Position
- 30 June: Germany v 3ABCDF, 6.30am, Boston Stadium
- 1 July: 1I v 3CDFGH, 7am, New York/New Jersey Stadium
- 4 July: 2D v 2G, 4am, Dallas Stadium
- 4 July: 1K v 3DEIJL, 11.10am, Kansas City Stadium
Live Sites Across Australia to Watch World Cup Games
After a brief ban, the Socceroos return to Federation Square in Melbourne. Other live sites include:
New South Wales: Sydney venues: Parramatta Square, Tumbalong Park, Allianz Stadium, Playford Park in Bankstown, Blacktown Football Park, Henley Park in Enfield, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Phillips Park in Lurnea, Hammondville Oval in Moorebank, Cirillo Reserve in Middleton Grange, Webbs Avenue in Auburn, Dyin Ngurra (Merrylands Civic Square). Regional: Jamberoo Pub (with bonus visit to Johnny Warren Museum).
Victoria: Melbourne: Federation Square, AAMI Park, Marvel Stadium, Broadmeadows Town Hall, Maddern Square in Footscray. Regional: Johnstone Park in Geelong, Alfred Deakin Place in Ballarat, Hargreaves Mall in Bendigo, Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, Shepparton Showgrounds.
Other locations: Adelaide: The Drive. Perth: Northbridge Piazza. Brisbane: Southbank. Darwin: Darwin Football Stadium.
Host Nations and Format
Canada, Mexico, and the US are the first three-nation co-hosts. The 16 host cities (two in Canada, three in Mexico, 11 in the US) are split into western, central, and eastern regions. The tournament features 48 teams: nine from Africa and Asia each, 16 from Europe, one from Oceania, six from South America, and six from North America, Central America and the Caribbean including hosts. Italy failed to qualify for the third consecutive time.
Australia’s Group and Qualified Teams
Group D: USA (world No. 16), Turkey (No. 22), Australia (No. 27), Paraguay (No. 40). Guardian power rankings among qualified teams: Turkey 23rd, USA 24th, Australia 28th, Paraguay 32nd.
Socceroos Squad
Coach Tony Popovic announced a 26-man squad after a 1-0 loss to Mexico. Notable inclusions: uncapped strikers Cristian Volpato (switched allegiance from Italy) and Tete Yengi. Omissions: Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, Martin Boyle. Veterans retained: Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, Aziz Behich. Young talents: Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda ready up front. According to Jack Snape, the squad is “bursting with youthful enthusiasm.”
Australia’s 2022 World Cup Performance
In Qatar, the Socceroos reached the round of 16, losing 1-2 to eventual champions Argentina. Despite defeat, they returned as heroes after pushing Lionel Messi’s team to the limit.
Other Big World Cup Stories
Key off-pitch issues: inflated ticket and transport costs, concerns about unsafe heat conditions and environmental impact, ICE involvement in security worrying human rights groups, and Iran moving their base from Arizona to Mexico amid tensions with the US.
