The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and the Socceroos are ready to take on the world. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a once-every-four-years follower, this guide has all the details you need to follow Australia's campaign from home.
When does Australia play the USA?
The Socceroos face the USA on Saturday, 20 June 2026, with kick-off at 5am AEST at Seattle Stadium. This is their second group match, following the opener against Turkey on Sunday, 14 June at 2pm AEST in Vancouver. The group stage concludes on Friday, 26 June at 12pm AEST against Paraguay in San Francisco Bay Area.
How to watch the World Cup in Australia
All 104 matches are broadcast live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and streamed on SBS On Demand. The Guardian is also live-blogging every match, with a team of correspondents across Canada, Mexico, and the US, plus reaction from Australia.
Socceroos squad for 2026
Coach Tony Popovic named a 26-man squad featuring youthful energy. Key players include Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Aziz Behich. Uncapped strikers Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi add fresh firepower, while Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda are ready to shine. Notable omissions: Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, and Martin Boyle.
Group D standings and opponents
Australia is in Group D with co-hosts USA (world No. 16), Turkey (No. 22), and Paraguay (No. 40). The top two teams advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
Live sites across Australia
Watch the Socceroos on big screens at Federation Square in Melbourne, Parramatta Square and Tumbalong Park in Sydney, and other venues including AAMI Park, Marvel Stadium, The Drive in Adelaide, Northbridge Piazza in Perth, Southbank in Brisbane, and Darwin Football Stadium. Regional sites include Jamberoo Pub (NSW) and Johnstone Park in Geelong.
2026 World Cup hosts
For the first time, three nations co-host: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. There are 16 host cities across three regions: western, central, and eastern.
Australia's 2022 performance
In Qatar, the Socceroos pushed eventual champions Argentina to the limit in a 1-2 round-of-16 loss, earning praise for their spirited campaign.
Other big stories
Concerns over ticket prices, heat conditions, and environmental impact dominate headlines. ICE involvement in security raises human rights concerns, while Iran will base in Mexico due to tensions with the US.
