{"id":490074,"date":"2026-06-12T23:43:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/490074\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T23:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:43:15","slug":"world-cup-2026-how-and-where-to-watch-socceroos-games-in-australia-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/490074\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026: how and where to watch Socceroos games in Australia | Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you follow the Socceroos<\/a> closely or tend to jump back on the bandwagon every four years, the World Cup<\/a> 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.)<\/p>\n

When does the 2026 Fifa World Cup start?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re finding it hard to believe that it\u2019s been four years since the last men\u2019s World Cup, that\u2019s because it hasn\u2019t been. The 2026 World Cup will start on Friday 12 June, which is just under three-and-a-half years since the 2022 tournament in Qatar \u2013 which was held later to avoid the heat.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition returns to the traditional mid-year timeslot, opening at 5am on 12 June with co-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at Mexico City Stadium. The tournament will run for six weeks, ending with the final on 20 July with a 5am kick-off at New York\/New Jersey Stadium.<\/p>\n

New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup final at its 80,000-capacity MetLife Stadium. Photograph: Michael Reaves\/Getty ImagesWhich countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>) which have been split up into western, central and eastern regions.<\/p>\n

What channel is the World Cup on, and how can I watch it live on TV or via streaming?<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

The Guardian will be live-blogging all 104 matches<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye on Guardian Australia socials<\/a> for Socceroos analysis, plus regular podcast drops from the team at Football Weekly<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where are the main live sites around Australia where I can watch games?<\/p>\n

Take a deep breath \u2026 after the briefest of bans<\/a>, the Socceroos are back on the big screen at Federation Square<\/a> in Melbourne. Here are some more live sites where you can watch the action:<\/p>\n

New South Wales<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Regional: Jamberoo Pub (with the added bonus of a visit to the Johnny Warren Museum<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Fans watch the 2022 World Cup at Federation Square. Photograph: Diego Fedele\/AAP<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/p>\n

Melbourne: Federation Square, AAMI Park, Marvel Stadium, Broadmeadows Town Hall, Maddern Square in Footscray<\/p>\n

Regional: Johnstone Park in Geelong, Alfred Deakin Place in Ballarat, Hargreaves Mall in Bendigo, Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, Shepparton Showgrounds<\/p>\n

More locations<\/p>\n

Which teams are in Australia\u2019s group and who else has qualified?<\/p>\n

The Socceroos were drawn in Group D with co-hosts USA, Paraguay and Turkey<\/a>. While perhaps not qualifying as a \u201cgroup of death\u201d, the Socceroos group is arguably one of the most difficult to predict. According to Fifa\u2019s rankings<\/a>, the USA are the top team in the group at world No 16. Turkey, who were last to book their spot in April<\/a>, are next at No 22, with Australia 27th and Paraguay 40th.<\/p>\n

Focused just on the 48 teams qualified for the World Cup<\/a>, the Guardian\u2019s power rankings<\/a> have Turkey at 23rd, the USA at 24th, Australia 28th, Paraguay 32nd.<\/p>\n

This is the first outing for this bloated competition<\/a>. 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<\/a>) was Italy\u2019s failure to qualify<\/a> for the third time in a row. Still paying their dues for Fabio Grosso\u2019s dive in 2006<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Australia lost 1-2 to the USA when they last met in 2025. Photograph: Omar Vega\/Getty ImagesWhat time do the Socceroos play their games? Full schedule of Australia\u2019s fixtures<\/p>\n

Group stage
14 June: Australia v Turkey, 2pm, BC Place Vancouver
20 June: USA v Australia, 5am, Seattle Stadium
26 June: Paraguay v Australia, 12pm, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n