The Socceroos face Egypt in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday July 4, with kick-off at 4am AEST at Dallas Stadium. Australia finished second in Group D after a 2-0 win over Turkey, a 2-0 loss to the USA, and a 0-0 draw with Paraguay. This marks the third time Australia has reached the knockout stages of a World Cup.
How to Watch the Socceroos vs Egypt Live
Every match of the 2026 World Cup is broadcast live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and available for streaming on SBS On Demand. The Guardian is 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. Guardian Australia socials provide analysis and daily podcasts from the Football Weekly team.
Socceroos Full World Cup Schedule
After the last 32 clash with Egypt, Australia's potential knockout path includes: last 16 on Wednesday July 8 at 2am AEST in Atlanta; quarter-final on Sunday July 12 at 11am AEST in Kansas City; semi-final on Thursday July 16 at 5am AEST in Atlanta; final on Monday July 20 at 5am AEST in New York/New Jersey.
Where to Watch in Australia
Live sites for Socceroos matches include Federation Square in Melbourne, Parramatta Square and Tumbalong Park in Sydney, The Drive in Adelaide, Northbridge Piazza in Perth, Southbank in Brisbane, and Darwin Football Stadium. Regional venues such as Jamberoo Pub in NSW and Johnstone Park in Geelong also host screenings.
Socceroos Squad for the 2026 World Cup
Coach Tony Popovic selected a 26-man squad featuring two uncapped strikers: Cristian Volpato, who switched allegiance from Italy to Australia, and Tete Yengi. Notable omissions include Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, and Martin Boyle. Veterans Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Aziz Behich retained their places, with Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda available up front. Patrick Beach, after a surprise start against Turkey, has staked his claim as the number one goalkeeper.
World Cup 2026 Hosts and Format
The 2026 tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – the first time three nations have shared hosting duties. There are 16 host cities: two in Canada, three in Mexico, and 11 in the US, split into western, central, and eastern regions. All three co-hosts advanced to the knockout stage, with Canada already securing a last-16 spot.
Australia's Performance at the 2022 World Cup
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Socceroos reached the round of 16, losing 1-2 to eventual champions Argentina. Despite the defeat, the team returned home as heroes after pushing Lionel Messi's side to the limit.
Other Big World Cup Stories
Off-field focus has included inflated ticket prices, transport costs, and the role of ICE. Iran spoke out about their treatment by FIFA and the US after elimination. Lighter stories feature a Mexican duck named Merlín, the pink boot phenomenon, and riotous fan colour. The knockout stage has already delivered excitement, with hydration breaks offering a silver lining.
