AFC · Group D
Australia at FIFA World Cup 2026
Australia qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group D opponents
Australia plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Australia fixtures
Australia in the tournament
Australia arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #26 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 69/100. AFC (Asia) sends 8 teams to 2026. South Korea, Japan, and Australia have all reached the knockout rounds in recent tournaments.
The 48-team format puts Australia in Group D with United States, Paraguay, Türkiye. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #27, with Australia in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Australia squad for World Cup 2026
Announced June 1, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Tony Popovic
Socceroos return for their sixth consecutive World Cup. Captain Mathew Ryan returns at 34. Tony Popovic, in his first World Cup as Australia manager, takes over after Graham Arnold left for Iraq. The squad blends A-League veterans with Premier League talent (Harry Souttar at Leicester, Jordan Bos at Feyenoord). Open against Turkiye in Vancouver on June 13.
Goalkeepers3
- Mathew RyanCaptain(Levante)
- Paul Izzo(Randers)
- Patrick Beach(Melbourne City)
Defenders10
- Aziz Behich(Melbourne City)
- Milos Degenek(APOEL)
- Harry Souttar(Leicester)
- Jordan Bos(Feyenoord)
- Cameron Burgess(Swansea)
- Jason Geria(Albirex Niigata)
- Alessandro Circati(Parma)
- Kai Trewin(New York City FC)
- Jacob Italiano(Grazer AK)
- Lucas Herrington(Colorado Rapids)
Midfielders6
- Jackson Irvine(St. Pauli)
- Ajdin Hrustic(Heracles)
- Connor Metcalfe(St. Pauli)
- Aiden O'Neill(New York City FC)
- Paul Okon-Engstler(Sydney FC)
- Cammy Devlin(Hearts)
Forwards7
- Mathew Leckie(Melbourne City)
- Awer Mabil(Castellon)
- Nestory Irankunda(Watford)
- Mohamed Toure(Norwich)
- Nishan Velupillay(Melbourne Victory)
- Cristian Volpato(Sassuolo)
- Tete Yengi(Machida Zelvia)
Sources: Sports Illustrated, Al Jazeera. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about Australia
When does Australia play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Australia plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 13, 2026. The opener is against TUR. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Australia in at the World Cup 2026?
Australia is in Group D alongside United States, Paraguay, Türkiye. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Australia's FIFA ranking?
Australia entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #26 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the top 50 globally. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Australia win the World Cup 2026?
Australia's pre-tournament strength rating is 69/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are competitive group-stage participants; advancing to the knockouts would be a strong tournament. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.