Whether you follow the Socceroos closely or tend to jump back on the bandwagon every four years, the World Cup is a time like no other in the football world. Every edition comes with its own quirks and changes, and this one in the United States, Mexico and Canada is no different. This handy guide contains everything you need to know about following the Socceroos from Australia. (All times are AEST.)
What channel is the World Cup on, and how can I watch it live on TV or via streaming?
You can watch every match live on SBS and SBS Viceland, and via streaming on SBS On Demand. What time will you need to set your alarm? Honestly, it won’t even be that bad. The Socceroos group matches in the western region all kick off between 5am and 2pm. If they progress to the knockout stage there could be an earlier start, but surely the kick-off times lose relevance the deeper they go.
The Guardian will be live-blogging all 104 matches. Reporter Jack Snape will be on the ground covering the Socceroos as part of a 15-strong team of correspondents bringing you match reports, analysis, features and news from across Canada, Mexico and the US, plus a team of journalists in Australia with reaction from around the country.
Keep an eye on Guardian Australia socials for Socceroos analysis, plus regular podcast drops from the team at Football Weekly.
What time do Australia play their World Cup games? Full schedule of the Socceroos fixtures
Group stage
Sunday 14 June: Australia v Turkey, 2pm, BC Place Vancouver
Saturday 20 June: USA v Australia, 5am, Seattle Stadium
Friday 26 June: Paraguay v Australia, 12pm, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams based on points, then on goal difference and then on number of goals.
Possible Round of 32 matches depending on final position in Group D
30 June: 1E v 3ABCDF, 6.30am, Boston Stadium
1 July: 1I v 3CDFGH, 7am, New York/New Jersey Stadium
2 July: 1D v 3BEFIJ, 10am, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
4 July: 2D v 2G, 4am, Dallas Stadium
Where are the main live sites around Australia to watch World Cup games?
Take a deep breath … after the briefest of bans, the Socceroos are back on the big screen at Federation Square in Melbourne. Here are some more live sites where you can watch the action:
New South Wales
Sydney: 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 the added bonus of a visit to the Johnny Warren Museum)
Fans watch the 2022 World Cup at Federation Square. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP
Victoria
Melbourne: 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
More locations
Which countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup?
Along with Mexico and the US, Canada is the third co-host in 2026 – the first time three nations have shared hosting responsibilities. South Korea and Japan were the first and only other co-hosts in 2002, which some Australians may remember fondly for its agreeable kick-off times even if the Socceroos were not present.
This time there are 16 host cities (two in Canada, three in Mexico and 11 in the US – the selection process was a World Cup in itself) which have been split up into western, central and eastern regions.
Which teams are in Australia’s group and who else has qualified?
The Socceroos were drawn in Group D with co-hosts USA, Paraguay and Turkey. While perhaps not qualifying as a “group of death”, the Socceroos group is arguably one of the most difficult to predict. According to Fifa’s rankings, the USA are the top team in the group at world No 16. Turkey, who were last to book their spot in April, are next at No 22, with Australia 27th and Paraguay 40th.
Focused just on the 48 teams qualified for the World Cup, the Guardian’s power rankings have Turkey at 23rd, the USA at 24th, Australia 28th, Paraguay 32nd.
This is the first outing for this bloated competition. There are 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 host nations. The biggest shock (or not, to some) was Italy’s failure to qualify for the third time in a row. Still paying their dues for Fabio Grosso’s dive in 2006?
Australia lost 1-2 to the USA when they last met in 2025. Photograph: Omar Vega/Getty Images