Australia
Coach: Tony Popovic
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group D
Group D
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Paraguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Türkiye | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Mat RyanXI Real Sociedad | GK | |
| 12 | Lawrence Thomas Melbourne Victory | GK | |
| 23 | Andrew Redmayne Sydney FC | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Nathaniel AtkinsonXI St Mirren | RB | |
| 3 | Aziz BehichXI Dundee Utd | LB | |
| 4 | Harry SouttarXI Leicester City | CB | |
| 5 | Kye RowlesXI Hearts | CB | |
| 13 | Thomas Deng Al Wahda | CB | |
| 14 | Joel King Odense | LB | |
| 15 | Bailey Wright Preston North End | CB | |
| 21 | Lewis Miller Hibernian | RB | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 6 | Jackson IrvineXI St Pauli | CDM | |
| 8 | Riley McGreeXI Middlesbrough | CM | |
| 10 | Ajdin HrusticXI Hellas Verona | CAM | |
| 16 | Keanu Baccus St Mirren | CM | |
| 20 | Cameron Devlin Hearts | CM | |
| 24 | Denis Genreau Toulouse | CM | |
| Forwards | |||
| 7 | Mathew LeckieXI Melbourne City | RW | |
| 9 | Garang KuolXI Hearts | ST | |
| 11 | Awer MabilXI Cádiz | LW | |
| 17 | Martin Boyle Hibernian | LW | |
| 18 | Mitchell Duke Fagiano Okayama | ST | |
| 19 | Marco Tilio Celtic | LW | |
| 22 | Brandon Borrello Freiburg | RW | |
| 25 | Nestory Irankunda Bayern Munich | RW | |
| 26 | Nick D'Agostino Parma | ST | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
6
Appearances
18
WC Goals
5
Wins
Best finish: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
Top scorer: Tim Cahill (4 goals)
Most capped: Mark Schwarzer (12 matches)
Record: 5W – 2D – 11L
Australia are one of the sport's great overachievers in the World Cup context — repeatedly qualifying from a difficult confederation and advancing to the knockout rounds. Tim Cahill's stunning volleys defined a generation; the 2022 squad under Graham Arnold reached the Round of 16 by beating Denmark, before a narrow loss to Argentina. The Socceroos punched above their weight across six World Cups.
Tournament Eras
The 1974 Debut and Long Absence
1974–2002Australia made their World Cup debut in 1974, losing all three group matches against East Germany, West Germany, and Chile. After a 32-year absence, they returned under Frank Farina in 2006 — a reunion sparked by the move from Oceania to the AFC confederation.
The Hiddink Era — 2006 Round of 16
2006Under Guus Hiddink, Australia produced their best World Cup campaign — advancing from the group stage and losing narrowly 1-0 to eventual champions Italy in the Round of 16, after a debatable penalty in the dying seconds. Tim Cahill scored two stunning volleys against Japan. The squad — Cahill, Viduka, Kewell, Neill — was Australia's most talented ever.
The Arnold Revival — 2022
2022Australia beat Denmark in the group stage to advance, then ended France's 2022 campaign at the Round of 16 stage — wait, they faced Argentina in the Round of 16, losing 2-1 but pushing the eventual champions. The campaign reignited Australian football enthusiasm and set up a strong 2026 platform.
Iconic Moments
Cahill's Volley — Japan 2006
After trailing Japan 1-0 with 25 minutes to play, Tim Cahill scored two superb volleys to complete a 3-1 comeback. The second — his right foot meeting the ball at full stretch — is remembered as one of the finest goals in Australian sporting history.
The Penalty vs Italy — Round of 16 Heartbreak
In extra time, Francesco Totti converted a penalty that many felt was won by simulation. Italy advanced 1-0 and went on to win the tournament. Australia's exit was greeted with widespread sympathy — they had been the better side for long stretches.