Our Socceroos - #FIFA World Cup 2026:
Australia
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
The Socceroos qualified directly after finishing second in Group C of the AFC’s third qualifying round, claiming a sixth successive World Cup trip in the process.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Australia have not looked back since ending 32 years of pain in 2006. Since gracing the world stage in Germany 20 years ago, the Socceroos have qualified for sixth straight World Cups. Twice before have the Socceroos made it beyond the group stage – last-16 appearances in 2006 and 2022, where they fell to eventual champions Italy and Argentina.
THE COACH
Tony Popovic knows what the Socceroos badge represents. He knows what it means, not only to play for Australia, but wear the Green and Gold at a World Cup. Now, he is leading the way from the sidelines with a young and vibrant national team.
Popovic – who won the 2014 AFC Champions League Elite – arrived in September 2024 following Graham Arnold’s resignation. The Socceroos were winless and in danger of missing the World Cup. But the former Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory coach not only steadied the ship but catapulted the team to the big dance.
He has done it with a steely determination and sprinkle of star quality.
THE STAR
The Socceroos boast so many exciting talents. You have
Nestory Irankunda,
Mo Toure and
Alessandro Circati. Then there is
Jordy Bos.
Bos is well and truly at the top of his game. He has soared to new heights after swapping Belgium for Dutch giants Feyenoord in 2024-25, flourishing under former Manchester United and Netherlands star Robin van Persie.
The exciting left-back brings so much energy, penetration and quality to Australia’s attack. It won’t be long before he is in a top five European league.
Back the Green and Gold & Score More with Unibet | BET NOW
INJURY STATUS
Don’t say it too loud, but… the Socceroos have no major injury concerns heading into the World Cup.
They suffered the hammer blow of losing
Riley McGree just a few days before the final squad was named, but within the current group all the players are seemingly in full health.
Harry Souttar spent more than a year on the sidelines before making his return just in the nick of time, which is a similar story to
Mat Leckie, who was out of action for about half of the recent A-League season. Thankfully they, as well as veteran midfielder
Jackson Irvine – who had issues with a foot problem for much of the past year – appear to have overcome their injury issues with impeccable timing.
RECENT FORM
June 7, 2026:
DREW 1-1 vs Switzerland
May 31, 2026:
LOST 1-0 vs Mexico
November 19, 2026:
LOST 3-0 vs Colombia
November 15, 2025:
LOST 1-0 vs Venezuela
October 15, 2025:
LOST 2-1 vs USA
THE STORY
Talk about a pre-World Cup bombshell. Popovic’s Soceroos called up Sassuolo’s Cristian Volpato on the eve of the tournament.
Australia had long courted the former Sydney United, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers youngster, who burst onto the scene with Serie A giants Roma. He even turned down the chance to represent the Socceroos at the 2022 showpiece under Graham Arnold, while holding out hope to represent Italy, having been tied to the Azzurri’s youth setup.
But after stunning many outside of camp, Volpato is in the squad for the first time and is set to make his competition debut in a World Cup fixture. The question is – how will he settle? will it impact squad harmony? All eyes are firmly on the talented forward.
THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Mathew Ryan (Levante UD)
Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Alessandro Circati (Parma Calcio 1913), Milos Degenek (Apoel FC), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kai Trewin (New York City)
Midfielders: Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli FC), Aiden O’Neill (New York City), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC)
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (CD Castellón), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)
