The World Cup is here at last! Get involved in the action with your free office sweep chart, with every nation covered.
Pundits in the United States have loved writing off the Socceroos ahead of their World Cup clash and Connor Metcalfe is sick of hearing all the 'rubbish'.
Anna Harrington
Paraguay, Australia's final opponents in the group stage at the World Cup, have completed preparations on home soil with an impressive 4-0 win over Nicaragua.
Staff Writers
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is leaving no stone unturned in using Australia’s World Cup warm-up games to meticulously plot out their campaign for when the tournament begins proper.
Ben Smith
Apart from stalwart Harry Souttar, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has turned to a youthful defence to get the job done ahead of the World Cup.
Last October, Jacob Italiano had never played a senior international game. Eight months on, the former Perth Glory wunderkind has firmed as coach Tony Popovic’s preferred World Cup starter at right wing-back.
Cristian Volpato is set to debut in Australia's warm-up match against Switzerland after speaking for the first time about his decision to switch allegiances.
The biggest tournament in world sport is now larger than ever, as The West Australian gives a five-minute guide to everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jake Santa Maria
The Matildas insist Mexico are a team much harder to beat than the FIFA rankings suggest in the lead-up to their first friendly in Newcastle on Saturday.
Sebastian Tan
Two former World Cup winners have both been surprised in their latest warm-up matches, with Graham Arnold's Iraq holding Spain and Ivory Coast beating France.
Matildas winger Hayley Raso has vowed to lift for Australia against Mexico on Saturday after a lack of game time this season.
Marco Monteverde
Perth Glory have strengthened their defence with the addition of a WA product who has signed a two-year deal with the club.
Josh Kempton
Paul Okon-Engstler has earnt a World Cup berth, something his father – one of Australia’s greatest ever players – never achieved.
Socceroos midfield Ajdin Hrustic’s first World Cup was shackled by an injury-interrupted lead in, but as his second approaches, he is welcoming the role of experienced veteran to the squad’s younger cohort.
Ajdin Hrustic's first World Cup was ravaged by injury and he feels perfectly placed to guide all the Socceroos' young debutants through this tournament.
Liverpool have brought in new manager Andoni Iraola in an attempt to restore the heavy-pressing playing approach so effective under former coach Jurgen Klopp.
Aiden O'Neill's World Cup dream briefly looked in peril when he went down with an ankle injury in May, but the Socceroos midfielder is out the other side.
As Joondalup product Cameron Burgess prepares to represent the Socceroos at the World Cup, former Glory boss Kenny Lowe says the towering defender’s journey has been defined by grit and determination.
An average team, a lay-up, an easy fixture - the US can talk as much trash as they want, but Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer knows the distraction is futile.
Joanna Guelas
Iran are heading to the World Cup amid tensions with the main host nation, creating a unique situation in tournament history.
Khalil Hamra
A 4-0 Wembley drubbing has done nothing to shake Charlize Rule’s confidence ahead of Matildas duties against Mexico.
They may have only been there for a few days, but the Socceroos are going to be many Oakland locals’ second team at the World Cup as the city pro sports deserted welcomes its new guest.
Jason Geria has had to wait eight years between Socceroos caps and now, at 33, is headed to his first World Cup.
Speaking from experience, Socceroos great John Aloisi knows why time spent in Italy would have only pushed World Cup-bound Cristian Volpato closer to Australia.
