In case you missed it, on Friday, FIFA drew the groups for the 2026 World Cup and the Socceroos were sorted into Group D alongside co-host USA, Paraguay, and a fourth team to be determined: the winner of a European play-off between Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
This undetermined match will be Australia’s first chance to prove itself in the biggest international sports tournament. The 2026 World Cup will be Australia’s 7th appearance in the soccer’s most important competition, and we’re the 26th seed in the latest FIFA World Rankings. The furthest the Socceroos have made it in a World Cup is a Round of 16 in 2006 and in 2022, so there’s reason to hope (if a bit cautiously)!
Luckily, despite the considerable time difference, we won’t have too many late nights or early mornings watching the Oz team.
Australia’s 2026 World Cup games
The Socceroos will be travelling to Canada and across the US, starting with its first match against the mystery UEFA playoff opponent in Vancouver, followed by a game in Seattle and, finally, one in California.
Here are Australia’s initial group matches in AEST time:
- Australia vs UEFA playoff winner: Sunday, June 14 at 2pm (AEST) at Vancouver
- Australia vs USA: Saturday, June 20 at 5am (AEST) at Lumen Field, Seattle
- Australia vs Paraguay: Friday, June 26 at 12pm (AEST) at Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
The opening game, Mexico vs South Africa, will take place at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Friday, June 12 at 5am AEST. The final will be played at the Meadowlands in New Jersey on Monday, July 20 at 8am AEST.
FIFA said the schedule aimed to “ensure the best possible conditions for all teams and spectators while, where possible, enabling fans all over the world to watch their teams play live across different time zones.”
But, of course, if you have the possibility, you may want to actually see the Socceroos play live! In which case you can buy your tickets for all three group matches here.