The World Cup is a unique time in football, and the 2026 edition in the United States, Mexico, and Canada brings its own changes. Whether you are a die-hard Socceroos fan or a casual supporter, this guide covers everything you need to follow the team from Australia. All times are AEST.
When Does the 2026 FIFA World Cup Start?
The tournament began on Friday, 12 June 2026, just under three and a half years after the 2022 event in Qatar. It returns to the traditional mid-year slot, with the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium at 5am on 12 June. The final takes place on 20 July at 5am at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
How to Watch the World Cup Live
Every match is broadcast live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and streamed on SBS On Demand. The Socceroos' group matches kick off between 5am and 2pm, which is manageable for Australian viewers. The Guardian will live-blog all 104 matches, with reporters on the ground and in Australia providing analysis, features, and news. Follow Guardian Australia socials and the Football Weekly podcast for regular updates.
Live Sites Across Australia
After a brief ban, the Socceroos return to Federation Square in Melbourne. Other major live sites include:
- New South Wales: Parramatta Square, Tumbalong Park, Allianz Stadium, Playford Park, Blacktown Football Park, Henley Park, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Phillips Park, Hammondville Oval, Cirillo Reserve, Webbs Avenue, Dyin Ngurra, and regional venues like Jamberoo Pub.
- Victoria: Federation Square, AAMI Park, Marvel Stadium, Broadmeadows Town Hall, Maddern Square, and regional sites in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon, and Shepparton.
- Other States: The Drive in Adelaide, Northbridge Piazza in Perth, Southbank in Brisbane, and Darwin Football Stadium.
Socceroos Full Schedule
Group Stage
- 14 June: Australia vs Turkey, 2pm, BC Place Vancouver
- 20 June: USA vs Australia, 5am, Seattle Stadium
- 26 June: Paraguay vs Australia, 12pm, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32.
Possible Round of 32 Matches
- 30 June: 1E vs 3ABCDF, 6:30am, Boston Stadium
- 1 July: 1I vs 3CDFGH, 7am, New York/New Jersey Stadium
- 2 July: 1D vs 3BEFIJ, 10am, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- 4 July: 2D vs 2G, 4am, Dallas Stadium
Host Countries and Groups
Canada, Mexico, and the USA are the first three-nation co-hosts. There are 16 host cities split into western, central, and eastern regions. Australia is in Group D with the USA, Paraguay, and Turkey. FIFA rankings place the USA at 16th, Turkey at 22nd, Australia at 27th, and Paraguay at 40th. The Guardian's power rankings have Turkey 23rd, USA 24th, Australia 28th, and Paraguay 32nd. This is the first 48-team tournament, with nine teams from Africa and Asia, 16 from Europe, one from Oceania, six from South America, and six from North America. Italy failed to qualify for the third consecutive time.
Socceroos Squad
Coach Tony Popovic announced a 26-man squad after a 1-0 loss to Mexico. Notable inclusions are uncapped strikers Cristian Volpato (switched from Italy) and Tete Yengi. Omissions include Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, and Martin Boyle. Veterans Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Aziz Behich are in, with Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda ready to attack. Teams can replace an outfield player due to serious injury up to 24 hours before their first match.
2022 World Cup Performance
In Qatar, the Socceroos lost 1-2 to eventual champions Argentina in the round of 16, earning praise for their spirited performance.
Other Key Stories
Issues include inflated ticket and transport costs, concerns about heat and environmental impact, and ICE involvement in security, worrying human rights groups. Iran moved their base from Arizona to Mexico amid tensions with the US.
