Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Australia

Get the lowdown onevery team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Australia.

What can I expect from Australia?

Australia avoided the play-offs to qualify directly for this World Cup for the first time since 2014, going unbeaten in their final eight matches after Tony Popovic replaced Graham Arnold as head coach - including a first win against Japan in 15 years.

The former Crystal Palace defender has made use of Australia's qualification a year ago to blood talented youngsters in the raft of friendlies since.

Results have been mixed but the net gain is that Australia now have some promising talent, particularly in attack, to reinvigorate an experienced core.

They ran Argentina close in the last 16 four years ago after winning two group matches at the World Cup for the first time.

Next on the agenda is a first win in the knockout stage.

What are Australia's strengths?

Organised, resilient, hard to break down. Australia mirror the pragmatic nature of their head coach, who likes to keep things tight, and physical.

Expect a back three who want to dominate aerially in both boxes, a fierce work ethic and inverted wide midfielders who aim to strike quickly on the counter.

And what about their weaknesses?

Some key players are missing, including Middlesbrough attacker Riley McGree – denting an attack that can labour against stronger sides.

Blending 12 players aged 25 and under along with nine survivors from the 2022 World Cup continues to be a challenge in what Popovic calls a "new cycle" for the Socceroos.

How might Australia line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Pace, pin-point delivery and a goal threat; left-wing back Jordan Bos has become integral to Australia's transitional play. The 23-year-old has been in fine form since joining Feyenoord last summer, scoring three goals in his past four caps ahead of the second warm-up friendly against Switzerland on Saturday.

One-time Bayern Munich winger Nestory Irankunda may yet play the role of impact substitute but expect fireworks. Known for speed and a deadly free-kick, his first goal for Watford was a swerving 25-yard set-piece. He can be hotheaded: his final season with Adelaide featured more cards (nine) than goals (eight).

Mohamed Toure became the first player since former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard in 2013 to mark his first league start in the top four tiers of English football with a hat-trick after joining Norwich from Danish side Randers in February. He scored five goals in the final four matches of the domestic season for the Canaries.

Who is Australia's head coach?

Tony Popovic rescued the World Cup qualifying campaign after replacing Graham Alexander, following success with Australia's domestic clubs.

The former Crystal Palace defender won 58 caps for Australia, scoring against England in 2003.

How did Australia qualify?

Australia bounced back from taking one point from their opening two games in the third round of Asia qualifying to finish second behind Japan.

Where can I watch Australia?

All of Australia's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Australia head coach Tony Popovic spent five years with Crystal Palace as a player, including 2004-05 in the Premier League.

He is perhaps best known during his time in England for a spectacular "scorpion kick" own goal scored against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in 2004, back-heeling in a Steve Stone cross.

Now give me some proper detail

The biggest boon of Australia's passage to a sixth consecutive World Cup was, for once, missing out on the acute anxiety of the play-offs.

This is the first time that the Socceroos have reached the World Cup finals directly since 2014 after a sharp improvement under head coach Tony Popovic.

The former Crystal Palace defender replaced Graham Arnold after a defeat and draw in their opening two qualifying matches and guided Australia to seven wins and a draw from the final eight games, and the fastest route to this summer's tournament.

Australia reached the last 16 for only the second time in 2022 and the obvious goal four years later would be to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time – although in a group where each team looks capable of beating the other, Popovic and his men may wish to avoid Australia's traditionally slow start.

They have lost in five of their six opening matches at the World Cup, with their solitary first-game win coming against Japan 20 years ago.

On this occasion, Australia face Turkey, Paraguay and something of a grudge match against hosts the USA. Mauricio Pochettino's side were the first to triumph against the Socceroos in the Popovic era, ending his 11-game unbeaten start in October.

How have Australia done at previous World Cups?