There was a time when soccer was an afterthought in the competitive sphere of Australian sport. It probably didn’t help that they had only qualified for one World Cup between its inception in 1930 and the start of the 21st century.
It wasn’t really until their switch from Oceania’s OFC to the Asian Football Confederation in 2005 that Aussies could celebrate their footballing heroes on a global stage again. There was an appetite for more soccer success Down Under, and they have now qualified for five World Cups in a row.
Having pushed eventual winners Argentina to the brink in a thrilling last-16 tie in 2022, do Australia have a chance of upsetting the applecart this time around in North America?
Promising in qualifiers
If you want to judge a team by their floor rather than their ceiling, the best way to do so is usually through their most recent results.
Australia’s qualifying campaign wasn’t perfect, but they were still only beaten once across 16 matches in rounds two and three in AFC.
In truth, the Socceroos’ participation at the World Cup wasn’t really in doubt. The more prominent red flag was their quarter-final elimination at the hands of South Korea in crisis in the most recent edition of the Asian Cup. That was three years ago now, however, and this team has a different feel to them.
Strong-willed manager
Tony Popovic has brought discipline, structure and competitiveness back to the Australian national team during his two years as head coach. A legend of the Socceroos in his playing days, he’s clearly identified what is needed for an underdog country to wreak havoc on the elites of the game.
Off the ball, Popovic’s Australia will be difficult for bigger nations to break down. His team are at their best when they can play in transition, which bodes well considering their status as one of this summer’s most unfancied teams. The more traditional favourites should be careful with what they wish for when it comes to taking on the Aussies.
Star names
As is customary for a team who thrives on the counter attack, Australia’s main strengths come at either end of the pitch.
In goal, Mathew Ryan will lead the Socceroos as captain again. He is chasing down Mark Schwarzer’s record-tally of 109 caps and is a reliable pair of hands between the sticks.
Up front, ex-Bayern Munich winger Nestory Irankunda is coming off the back of a promising first season in England with second-tier side Watford. The winger will be one of the quickest players at the World Cup and Popovic will undoubtedly seek to utilise this strength to the max.
Unfortunately for Australia, they will have to do without midfield extraordinaire Riley McGree, who picked up an injury during Middlesbrough’s Championship play-off final loss to Hull City.
Group stage opponents
The hope for Australia is that, while they are not necessarily expected to win any of their three group games, their opponents aren’t exactly A-listers.
Popovic’s men will begin the tournament against Turkey, who are back on the World Cup stage for the first time since 2002. Often referred to as ‘dark horses’ in European Championships, they do have the individual and collective quality to hurt Australia, but it’s a challenge that shouldn’t be feared.
Australia will then take on co-hosts United States, who will be feeling the pressure from home fans as they look to finally make soccer ‘a thing’ in America. This, coupled with Mauricio Pochettino’s intention to play with the ball, should be a kinder matchup for the Aussies.
A showdown with Paraguay will cap off the group stage for Australia, and given the tournament’s expansion, they may only need to finish in third place to reach the knockouts.
Odds
TAB are offering the best odds out there when it comes to the Australian national team this World Cup, with a wide variety of options.
If you’re pessimistic on the Socceroos’ chances and think they won’t win any of their three group games, you can get odds of $1.75 on TAB. At the opposite end of that spectrum, Australia are at $67 to take nine points out of a possible nine. One win and two wins are priced at $2.25 and $8 respectively.
Other markets include who will finish as Australia’s top scorer at the tournament, with both Mohamed Toure and the aforementioned Irankunda available at $5. The Socceroos to have no scorer at all is priced at $11.
Verdict
Australia’s name hasn’t been thrown around as one to watch at the World Cup, though that doesn’t mean they won’t have an impact. Very few expected them to impress the way they did at 2022, of course.
There is a conceivable roadmap to victory. Popovic’s transitional and rigid style ought to make the Socceroos a frustrating opponent for any side, and there is enough ability in the ranks to ensure games can be won. Why shouldn’t Australians bet on themselves to have a successful campaign?
*Odds correct as of 02/06/26
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