Australia qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the sixth World Cup in a row. Tony Popovic had replaced Graham Arnold as head coach on 23 September 2024, after Arnold stepped down two games into the third round of qualifying.
The group stage
The Socceroos opened with a 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver on 13 June, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. They then lost 0-2 to the United States on 19 June and drew 0-0 with Paraguay on 25 June.
The round of 32
On 3 July Australia drew 1-1 with Egypt and lost 2-4 on penalties after extra time. It was a narrow exit against a side that had been difficult to break down.
What it means for fantasy
Players who featured at the tournament often return to their clubs with extra confidence and sharper fitness. When you compare two similar midfielders or forwards, recent Socceroos minutes can be a useful tiebreaker.
