World Cup 2026 Australia thread

[melbcityguy]

Does anyone know what dates the November FIFA window is? Hoping Melbourne get a match and if we do I want to make sure I'm available to go

 

[NicCarBel]

Does anyone know what dates the November FIFA window is? Hoping Melbourne get a match and if we do I want to make sure I'm available to go

Upcoming match windows​

Men's International Match Calendar​

1–9 September 2025

6–14 October 2025

10–18 November 2025

21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026 [CAF Cup of Nations only]

23–31 March 2026

1–9 June 2026 [Reserved for friendlies in preparation for the FIFA World Cup]

11 June – 19 July 2026 [FIFA World Cup]

 

[melbcityguy]

Thank you NicCarBel

 

[Brenton1986]

Sources: Vegas to host World Cup draw on Dec. 5

Las Vegas will host the 2026 World Cup draw on Dec. 5, multiple sources have told ESPN Mexico's Omar Flores Aldana and Ricardo Cariño.

www.espn.com.au

 

[Brenton1986]

interesting interview i thought from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic he confirmed few days ago that anyone that has played no competitive meaningful matches between now and September window (New Zealand - doubleheader) also between now and October window (Canada and United States) will now faces an uphill battle to now make the squad for those windows.

 

[grazorblade]

interesting interview i thought from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic he confirmed few days ago that anyone that has played no competitive meaningful matches between now and September window (New Zealand - doubleheader) also between now and October window (Canada and United States) will now faces an uphill battle to now make the squad for those windows.

I guess mostly a league players in trouble then

 

[HappyGuus]

interesting interview i thought from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic he confirmed few days ago that anyone that has played no competitive meaningful matches between now and September window (New Zealand - doubleheader) also between now and October window (Canada and United States) will now faces an uphill battle to now make the squad for those windows.

Another thing wrong with not starting the season earlier!

 

[JS96]

interesting interview i thought from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic he confirmed few days ago that anyone that has played no competitive meaningful matches between now and September window (New Zealand - doubleheader) also between now and October window (Canada and United States) will now faces an uphill battle to now make the squad for those windows.

How I'd love someone to call out Popovic in a press conference when he calls up Behich, Borrello, Caceres and maybe one or two others. Maybe Okon too.

These journalists won't risk their relationships by asking. Someone needs to ask 'you stated in this interview that players need to be playing. Why are these players in when they've not played over a longer period?'

Popovic: Well, they're in pre season which is good for fitness and they're a part of our system.

The response should be. Please justify at length how Behich, Caceres, Borrello and Okon are better than and playing more than Bos, Balard, Triantis and Botic.

 

[patjennings]

Does anyone know what dates the November FIFA window is? Hoping Melbourne get a match and if we do I want to make sure I'm available to go

Unpopular opinion coming up.

While ever the AFL controls the MCG and Docklands I'm happy to not have any FIFA games in Melbourne. The only way Australia will host a World Cup and games will be played in Melbourne is to have a real stadium in Melbourne that football can access for a World Cup - that means a 45,000 seats stadium for group matches or a 60,000 seat stadium for later matches. I know that hosting a Mens World Cup is a long shot within my lifetime but the AFL will always stuff us up in Melbourne. To not have a suitable stadium in what will soon be the largest city in Australia and the self proclaimed 'sporting capital of Australia' is ludicrous. If you can't cater for the largest sport in the world in an appropriate way then you are a sporting backwater.

While we are at it the NRL and Rugby Australia should boycott Origin games, and Australian League and Rugby test matches from Melbourne.

To get to 14 stadiums we would need a joint Indonesia/Australia/NZ bid using existing stadiums and temporary stands in Townsville or Newcastle. I have included Docklands as a possible venue but it would probably be blocked by the AFL. Other states have no real need for stadiums that size or they already have them.

Canberra are not going to build a large enough stadium and with their population a 45,000 - 60000 stadium will not be needed there in my kids lifetime.

Existing stadiums including Docklands. Of course we could ignore Melbourne entirely and just use both Newcastle and Townsville with temporary stands

Jakarta International Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	82000
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	77193
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Surabaya	Existing	46806
Riau Main Stadium	Pekanbaru	Existing	43923
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jayapura	Existing	40263
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Balikpapan	Existing	40000
Perth	WA	Existing	65000
Docklands	VIC	Existing	53343
Lang Park	QLD	Existing	52500
Townsville or Newcastle	QLD	Temp stands	45000
Sydney Football Stadium	NSW	Existing	45500
Homebush	NSW	Existing	81500
Adelaide	SA	Existing	60000

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

Unpopular opinion coming up.

While ever the AFL controls the MCG and Docklands I'm happy to not have any FIFA games in Melbourne. The only way Australia will host a World Cup and games will be played in Melbourne is to have a real stadium in Melbourne that football can access for a World Cup - that means a 45,000 seats stadium for group matches or a 60,000 seat stadium for later matches. I know that hosting a Mens World Cup is a long shot within my lifetime but the AFL will always stuff us up in Melbourne. To not have a suitable stadium in what will soon be the largest city in Australia and the self proclaimed 'sporting capital of Australia' is ludicrous. If you can't cater for the largest sport in the world in an appropriate way then you are a sporting backwater.

While we are at it the NRL and Rugby Australia should boycott Origin games, and Australian League and Rugby test matches from Melbourne.

To get to 14 stadiums we would need a joint Indonesia/Australia/NZ bid using existing stadiums and temporary stands in Townsville or Newcastle. I have included Docklands as a possible venue but it would probably be blocked by the AFL. Other states have no real need for stadiums that size or they already have them.

Canberra are not going to build a large enough stadium and with their population a 45,000 - 60000 stadium will not be needed there in my kids lifetime.

Existing stadiums including Docklands. Of course we could ignore Melbourne entirely and just use both Newcastle and Townsville with temporary stands

Jakarta International Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	82000
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	77193
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Surabaya	Existing	46806
Riau Main Stadium	Pekanbaru	Existing	43923
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jayapura	Existing	40263
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Balikpapan	Existing	40000
Perth	WA	Existing	65000
Docklands	VIC	Existing	53343
Lang Park	QLD	Existing	52500
Townsville or Newcastle	QLD	Temp stands	45000
Sydney Football Stadium	NSW	Existing	45500
Homebush	NSW	Existing	81500
Adelaide	SA	Existing	60000

The AFL owns the Docklands stadium, the MCG is a trust deed.
And given that AAMI does not fill up even for derbys then unless a private consortium decides to build one, no government will build one.
For a century the AFL could only fill the G for the finals. When the VFL built Waverley I think its capacity was 60,000 and it rarely got filled. The suburban AFL grounds capacity were between 23,000 and 30,000. Even today the brand new GMHBA Stadium in Geelong maximum capacity is 40,000.
So the idea that Oz should build stadiums the size that are required by FIFA is ludicrous.

 

[JS96]

I think after all the travel it'd be sensible to have two European based games in November. Call me crazy but I feel our players will need a rest at some point too. Germany has a winter break but the Championship will be playing right through.

 

[patjennings]

The AFL owns the Docklands stadium, the MCG is a trust deed.
And given that AAMI does not fill up even for derbys then unless a private consortium decides to build one, no government will build one.
For a century the AFL could only fill the G for the finals. When the VFL built Waverley I think its capacity was 60,000 and it rarely got filled. The suburban AFL grounds capacity were between 23,000 and 30,000. Even today the brand new GMHBA Stadium in Geelong maximum capacity is 40,000.
So the idea that Oz should build stadiums the size that are required by FIFA is ludicrous.

Fine - but if Victorians make that choice it shows they are not interested in the biggest show on earth. I would still only play any game at AAMI. If that is the Victorian choice then they should live with it. Imagine a Socceroos - Brazil friendly at AAMI, or a Bledisloe Cup match or a state of Origin map.

AFL wants to blackmail extort money from governments because of their political clout i.e. Macquarie Point stadium. FA should join with Vlandys and Rugby Australia and move Melbourne's big matches to Sydney or Perth.

While ever the rectangular sports roll over in Melbourne then there will be no public push for an increase.

 

[Quicky]

Unpopular opinion coming up.

While ever the AFL controls the MCG and Docklands I'm happy to not have any FIFA games in Melbourne. The only way Australia will host a World Cup and games will be played in Melbourne is to have a real stadium in Melbourne that football can access for a World Cup - that means a 45,000 seats stadium for group matches or a 60,000 seat stadium for later matches. I know that hosting a Mens World Cup is a long shot within my lifetime but the AFL will always stuff us up in Melbourne. To not have a suitable stadium in what will soon be the largest city in Australia and the self proclaimed 'sporting capital of Australia' is ludicrous. If you can't cater for the largest sport in the world in an appropriate way then you are a sporting backwater.

While we are at it the NRL and Rugby Australia should boycott Origin games, and Australian League and Rugby test matches from Melbourne.

To get to 14 stadiums we would need a joint Indonesia/Australia/NZ bid using existing stadiums and temporary stands in Townsville or Newcastle. I have included Docklands as a possible venue but it would probably be blocked by the AFL. Other states have no real need for stadiums that size or they already have them.

Canberra are not going to build a large enough stadium and with their population a 45,000 - 60000 stadium will not be needed there in my kids lifetime.

Existing stadiums including Docklands. Of course we could ignore Melbourne entirely and just use both Newcastle and Townsville with temporary stands

Jakarta International Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	82000
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jakarta	Existing	77193
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Surabaya	Existing	46806
Riau Main Stadium	Pekanbaru	Existing	43923
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium	Jayapura	Existing	40263
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium	Balikpapan	Existing	40000
Perth	WA	Existing	65000
Docklands	VIC	Existing	53343
Lang Park	QLD	Existing	52500
Townsville or Newcastle	QLD	Temp stands	45000
Sydney Football Stadium	NSW	Existing	45500
Homebush	NSW	Existing	81500
Adelaide	SA	Existing	60000

I'm sorry but that's not fair on Victorian football fans. It would be ridiculous to ban FIFA games in Victoria.

 

[patjennings]

I'm sorry but that's not fair on Victorian football fans. It would be ridiculous to ban FIFA games in Victoria.

It is absolutely fair. Victorian football, rugby league and rugby union fans can vote for a government that will build it.

I was recently on a flying visit to Victoria and I was amazed and saddened at the people in the tourist industry that were so proud of all their sporting infrastructure and yet were especially proud of the ways that AAMI stadium was bastardised to protect "their football". I find it abhorrent that this sort of attitude still remains but it will remain unless the rectangular sports stand up for themselves and stop accepting crumbs while other sports are routinely favoured for infrastructure.

AAMI stadium is already FIFA compliant and the foundations and stadium bowl were designed to expansion to 50,000. Upgrading AAMI should be relatively simple and cheaper for an upgrade to 50,000 in comparison to similar stadiums for this reason. The exception is of course the roof which would be a large slice of the cost for any upgrade. It really is time for the Victorian government to at least commission and investigation into an expansion.

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

Fine - but if Victorians make that choice it shows they are not interested in the biggest show on earth. I would still only play any game at AAMI. If that is the Victorian choice then they should live with it. Imagine a Socceroos - Brazil friendly at AAMI, or a Bledisloe Cup match or a state of Origin map.

AFL wants to blackmail extort money from governments because of their political clout i.e. Macquarie Point stadium. FA should join with Vlandys and Rugby Australia and move Melbourne's big matches to Sydney or Perth.

While ever the rectangular sports roll over in Melbourne then there will be no public push for an increase.

Disagree - it is a question of economics. Many of the stadiums for both the Olympics and FIFA become idle after the events are over. So even if you host a WC at a purpose built stadium that sits 60k for 8 weeks, what happens afterwards? The upkeep, for any event the cost of running an event, etc.
The AFL did two things in Victoria: first, no longer were all games started on a Saturday afternoon at 14:10 and secondly closed the suburban stadiums with the exception of Geelong. The effect has been to funnel more fans to the Docklands and the G because not all games start at the same time. And even Geelong, has to play home games against Collingwood at the G.
And if the Socceroos play Brazil in Perth will it be a sell out? There are about 2M people there so I would think so but I am not certain that it would.

 

[LFC]

Any ground would be a sell out Roos vs Brazil come on.

It would be fair completely other States taking FIFA games away from Vic absolutely.

 

[vincenzogold]

How I'd love someone to call out Popovic in a press conference when he calls up Behich, Borrello, Caceres and maybe one or two others. Maybe Okon too.

These journalists won't risk their relationships by asking. Someone needs to ask 'you stated in this interview that players need to be playing. Why are these players in when they've not played over a longer period?'

Popovic: Well, they're in pre season which is good for fitness and they're a part of our system.

The response should be. Please justify at length how Behich, Caceres, Borrello and Okon are better than and playing more than Bos, Balard, Triantis and Botic.

I think behich has proved he belongs there over the years. His goal against Japan really catapulted us into the world cup.

 

[patjennings]

Disagree - it is a question of economics. Many of the stadiums for both the Olympics and FIFA become idle after the events are over. So even if you host a WC at a purpose built stadium that sits 60k for 8 weeks, what happens afterwards? The upkeep, for any event the cost of running an event, etc.
The AFL did two things in Victoria: first, no longer were all games started on a Saturday afternoon at 14:10 and secondly closed the suburban stadiums with the exception of Geelong. The effect has been to funnel more fans to the Docklands and the G because not all games start at the same time. And even Geelong, has to play home games against Collingwood at the G.
And if the Socceroos play Brazil in Perth will it be a sell out? There are about 2M people there so I would think so but I am not certain that it would.

The MCG (an Olympic stadium, centrally located and well served by public transport) is constantly used and often re-furbished. Stadium Australia (an Olympic Stadium but not centrally located and poorly served by public transport) has been used consistently since it was built 25 years ago.

It is true that some Olympic stadiums have had the fate you described but they were not centrally located and served well by public transport. In Australia we have not had that experience.

A Socceroo game against Brazil in Perth would sell out very quickly - only slowed by the ability of the ticketing system. An appropriately sized FIFA stadium, centrally located and served well by public transport is a gimme. While AAMI was use for the 2015 Asian cup it will not be for any future Asian Cup - it will just be too small and Brisbane, Perth and even Newcastle would make more sense financially.

Origin games are now more likely to go to Perth than Melbourne. The same with Rugby tests especially with the large amount of British descendents in WA.

 

[JS96]

I think behich has proved he belongs there over the years. His goal against Japan really catapulted us into the world cup.

Yeah I'm glad he score but it doesn't hide the fact we have better options for the short and long term.

 

[Alex M]

Yeah I'm glad he score but it doesn't hide the fact we have better options for the short and long term.

I still think he is our best short term option and see a role for him up until the 2027 Asian Cup.