The World Cup is a time like no other in the football world, and the 2026 edition in the United States, Mexico, and Canada comes with its own quirks. This guide covers everything you need to know about following the Socceroos from Australia.
When does the World Cup start?
The 2026 World Cup begins on Friday, 12 June, less than three-and-a-half years after the 2022 tournament in Qatar. It returns to the traditional mid-year slot, opening at 5am AEST with Mexico vs. South Africa at Mexico City Stadium. The tournament runs for six weeks, ending with the final on 20 July at 5am AEST at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Which countries are hosting the World Cup?
For the first time, three nations co-host: Mexico, the US, and Canada. There are 16 host cities (two in Canada, three in Mexico, eleven in the US), split into western, central, and eastern regions.
How can I watch the World Cup live in Australia?
Every match is live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and via streaming on SBS On Demand. Socceroos group matches kick off between 5am and 2pm AEST. The Guardian will live-blog all 104 matches, with reporter Jack Snape covering the Socceroos on the ground.
Live Sites
- Federation Square, Melbourne
- The Drive, Adelaide
- Tumbalong Park and Parramatta Square, Sydney
Which teams are in Australia's group?
The Socceroos are in Group D with USA, Paraguay, and Turkey. According to FIFA rankings, USA is 16th, Turkey 22nd, Australia 27th, and Paraguay 40th. The top two in each group advance, plus the eight best third-placed teams.
World Cup 2026 schedule: Australia's games
- 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
Possible Round of 32 matches depend on group position.
Who is in the Socceroos squad?
Coach Tony Popovic announced a 26-man squad including uncapped strikers Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi. Veterans like Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Aziz Behich survived the cull. Notable omissions include Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, and Martin Boyle.
How did the Socceroos perform at the last World Cup?
In 2022, they reached the round of 16, losing 1-2 to eventual champions Argentina, pushing them to the end.
What are the other big World Cup stories?
Issues include inflated ticket and transport costs, concerns about heat conditions and environmental impact, and ICE involvement in security drawing human rights concerns. Iran will move their base from Arizona to Mexico amid tensions with the US.
