Australia’s road to the 2026 World Cup was anything but straightforward. Graham Arnold stepped down after just two games of AFC qualifying in September 2024 with the Socceroos in fifth place.
Tony Popovic – a former Crystal Palace captain with 58 international caps – was appointed immediately and transformed the campaign. An eight-game unbeaten run followed and Australia sealed direct qualification for the first time since 2014.
How they got there
Australia finished second in AFC Group C with 19 points from ten matches – five wins, four draws and one defeat. The standout result was a 1-0 victory over Japan in Perth in front of 57,226 fans – the only defeat Japan suffered throughout the entire qualifying campaign.
Qualification was confirmed with a 2-1 win away at Saudi Arabia on 10 June 2025. It was the first time Australia had qualified directly – without needing a playoff – since 2014. This is their seventh overall and sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Best ever World Cup finish
Australia have reached the Round of 16 twice – in 2006 in Germany and 2022 in Qatar. Their 2006 campaign remains their finest – a 3-1 comeback win over Japan, a narrow defeat to Brazil and an agonising Round of 16 exit against Italy decided by a controversial late penalty.
At the 2022 World Cup they beat Denmark before losing 2-1 to Argentina. The quarter-finals have never been reached – Popovic has made it his mission to change that.
Iconic moments
Australia’s most celebrated World Cup moment came in 2006 when Tim Cahill came off the bench to score twice in the final eight minutes and overturn a 1-0 deficit against Japan.
Cahill remains their greatest player and all-time top scorer with 50 goals in 107 appearances. Australia also hold the world record for the largest international victory – the 31-0 demolition of American Samoa in 2001.
Players to watch
Mat Ryan (Levante) – The captain heads into his fourth World Cup – equalling the Australian record held by Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan. The experienced 34-year-old goalkeeper is the bedrock of Popovic’s side and brings leadership and consistency that gives Australia confidence at the back.
Nestory Irankunda (Watford) – The most exciting young talent in the squad. The 20-year-old winger came through Bayern Munich before joining Watford and arrives at the World Cup with five international goals and the electric pace that makes him one of the most dangerous wide players in the tournament.
Fixtures
13 Jun: Australia vs Turkey – BC Place, Vancouver – 06:00 SAST
19 Jun: USA vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle – 21:00 SAST
26 Jun: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara – 04:00 SAST
Photo: Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
