The Socceroos face Paraguay on Saturday 26 June at 12pm AEST at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in their final Group D match of the 2026 World Cup. Australia sit second in the group with three points after a 2-0 win over Turkey and a 2-0 loss to the USA, while Paraguay have yet to secure a win. The top two teams in each group advance to the last 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams. The USA have already locked in top spot, leaving Australia and Paraguay battling for second and third place. Turkey cannot progress.
How to watch the Socceroos at the World Cup
Every match of the 2026 World Cup is broadcast live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and available for streaming on SBS On Demand. The Guardian is live-blogging all 104 matches, with reporter Jack Snape on the ground covering the Socceroos as part of a 15-strong team of correspondents across Canada, Mexico and the US, plus a team of journalists in Australia providing reaction. Guardian Australia socials will feature Socceroos analysis and daily podcasts from Football Weekly.
Kick-off times for Australia's group matches range from 5am to 2pm AEST, making it relatively easy for fans in Australia to watch live. If the Socceroos progress to the knockout stage, earlier start times are possible, but as the team advances, kick-off times become less of a concern.
Full Socceroos fixture schedule
- Game 1: Australia 2-0 Turkey, BC Place, Vancouver
- Game 2: USA 2-0 Australia, Seattle Stadium
- Game 3: Friday 26 June – Paraguay v Australia, 12pm, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Possible last 32 matches depending on Group D position:
- 30 June: Germany v 3ABCDF, 6.30am, Boston Stadium
- 1 July: 1I v 3CDFGH, 7am, New York/New Jersey Stadium
- 4 July: 2D v 2G, 4am, Dallas Stadium
- 4 July: 1K v 3DEIJL, 11.10am, Kansas City Stadium
Live sites across Australia to watch World Cup games
After a brief ban, the Socceroos are back on the big screen at Federation Square in Melbourne. Other major live sites include:
- New South Wales: Parramatta Square, Tumbalong Park, Allianz Stadium, Playford Park in Bankstown, Blacktown Football Park, Henley Park in Enfield, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Phillips Park in Lurnea, Hammondville Oval in Moorebank, Cirillo Reserve in Middleton Grange, Webbs Avenue in Auburn, Dyin Ngurra (Merrylands Civic Square). Regional: Jamberoo Pub (with bonus visit to Johnny Warren Museum).
- Victoria: Federation Square, AAMI Park, Marvel Stadium, Broadmeadows Town Hall, Maddern Square in Footscray. Regional: Johnstone Park in Geelong, Alfred Deakin Place in Ballarat, Hargreaves Mall in Bendigo, Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, Shepparton Showgrounds.
- Adelaide: The Drive
- Perth: Northbridge Piazza
- Brisbane: Southbank
- Darwin: Darwin Football Stadium
Host nations and group details
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – the first time three nations have shared hosting responsibilities. There are 16 host cities: two in Canada, three in Mexico, and 11 in the US, split into western, central, and eastern regions. Australia is in Group D alongside co-hosts USA, Paraguay, and Turkey.
According to FIFA's rankings, the USA are the top team in the group at world No. 16, Turkey are No. 22, Australia No. 27, and Paraguay No. 40. The Guardian's power rankings place Turkey at 23rd, USA at 24th, Australia at 28th, and Paraguay at 32nd among qualified teams.
This is the first edition with 48 teams. Nine teams each from Africa and Asia, 16 from Europe, one from Oceania, six from South America, and six from North America, Central America and the Caribbean (including the three hosts) have qualified. Italy failed to qualify for the third consecutive time.
Socceroos squad announced
Coach Tony Popovic named a 26-man squad after a 1-0 loss to Mexico in the second-last pre-tournament match. Two uncapped strikers were included: Cristian Volpato, who recently switched allegiance from Italy to Australia, and Tete Yengi. Youth was preferred over experience in several positions. Notable omissions include Kye Rowles, Brandon Borello, and Martin Boyle. Veterans Mathew Leckie, Harry Souttar, Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Aziz Behich made the cut, while Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda are expected to feature up front. According to Jack Snape of the Guardian, the squad is "bursting with youthful enthusiasm."
Previous World Cup performance
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Socceroos reached the round of 16, losing 1-2 to eventual champions Argentina. Despite the defeat, the team returned home as heroes after pushing Lionel Messi's side to the limit.
Other key World Cup stories
Off the pitch, concerns include inflated ticket and transport costs, unsafe heat conditions, and the tournament's environmental impact. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be a "key part" of World Cup security, raising alarm among human rights groups. Iran will move their base from Arizona to Mexico amid tensions with the US.
