The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the Socceroos has been officially mapped out, confirming a thrilling West Coast campaign across North America. The full schedule, announced in Washington D.C., sets up Australia's crucial Group D battles against the host nation United States, Paraguay, and a European playoff winner.
A Detailed Look at Australia's Group D Schedule
The Socceroos will kick off their tournament in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday, June 13 (local time). Their first match, against the winner of a European playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo, is scheduled for a 9 PM start. For fans back home, this translates to a prime 2 PM AEST viewing slot on Sunday, June 14.
Attention will then turn to the blockbuster clash against the tournament hosts. Australia will face the United States at Seattle's iconic Lumen Field on Friday, June 19, with a 3 PM local kick-off. This glamour tie of the group means dedicated Australian supporters will need to set their alarms for a 5 AM AEST start on Saturday, June 20.
Final Group Match and Broader Tournament Strategy
Tony Popovic's side will conclude the group stage against South American contenders Paraguay in Santa Clara, California. This match is set for 7 PM on Thursday, June 25, providing a more forgiving midday (AEST) kick-off on Friday, June 26 for Australian audiences.
The complete fixture list, dominated by evening starts in North America, reflects FIFA's dual strategy. The scheduling aims to mitigate the expected summer heat across the US, Mexico, and Canada while simultaneously capturing prime evening television audiences in Europe. This approach is evident in other high-profile matches, such as holders Argentina beginning their defence in a Kansas City evening slot.
FIFA stated the planning aims to ensure optimal conditions for teams and fans, while allowing a global audience to watch live across time zones. In a lighter moment following the serious planning, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a public apology to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. This came after Scaloni was instructed to wear gloves to handle the World Cup trophy during the draw ceremony, a move that sparked a media backlash.
