The CommBank Socceroos 'Class of 2005 and 2006' will be celebrated during the March FIFA Series 2026™ in recognition of the 20-year reunion of the 2005/06 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The reunion will take place on Friday 27 March, at Accor Stadium, Sydney - the hallowed ground where the Socceroos defeated Uruguay in a historic penalty shootout in November 2005 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 32 years.
Former CommBank Socceroos Mark Schwarzer, Josip Skoko, Brett Emerton, Mile Sterjovski, Luke Wilkshire and Archie Thompson will be among the legends attending the reunion, which coincides with the Socceroos' clash against Cameroon.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ bound team - who recently secured a record sixth-straight World Cup berth and qualified directly for the first time since 2014 - is led by another member of the 2005/06 generation, Tony Popovic. Popovic is set to become the first person to represent the CommBank Socceroos at a FIFA World Cup as both a player and head coach.
As part of the FIFA Series, the current CommBank Socceroos will face Cameroon (March 27, Accor Stadium) and Curacao (March 31, AAMI Park) in their final home matches before the FIFA World Cup 2026™. A selection of 2005/06 players will also attend the second match at AAMI Park against Curaçao on Tuesday, 31 March.
Quotes attributable to CommBank Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic:
"It is important for us to acknowledge our Socceroos and Australian football history. Every time we take the field, we represent that generation, and every other Socceroos era. This team is the embodiment of the 600-plus players who've worn the Socceroos shirt over the last 100 years.
"It will be a wonderful opportunity for all players and Socceroos fans to reminisce on that historic period at the venue where we broke our World Cup qualifying drought. We are determined to put on another strong display in our last games in Australia before the FIFA World Cup 2026."
Quotes attributable to ex-CommBank Socceroo Mark Schwarzer:
"The journey to the 2006 World Cup was built on belief, resilience and a group that refused to be denied. Qualifying after 32 years meant everything to us and to Australian football.
"I'm excited to be back and look forward to seeing some of my old teammates and supporting the
Socceroos. We look forward to celebrating the tremendous occasions they were, back in 2005 and 2006. And it's appropriate that we'll be catching up at (Accor Stadium) Homebush, where we qualified to break a 32-year drought.
"These are important games for the Socceroos and for the Australian public, as it will be the last chance they get to see them on home soil before the 2026 World Cup."
Quotes attributable to ex-CommBank Socceroo Brett Emerton:
"Time flies, I can't believe it's been 20 years. I'm looking forward to catching up with my old teammates and Socceroos fans.
"The Uruguay match at (Accor Stadium) lives on in the memory and there was so much emotion on the night.
"It's an unbelievable achievement for the Socceroos to have qualified for six straight World Cups now. And it was great to see my old teammate Tony Popovic led the team to direct qualification.
"It will be great for Socceroos fans and the Australian public to send off the team in style this March, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
Quotes attributable to ex-CommBank Socceroo Josip Skoko:
"Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in November 2005 was the result of years of hard work, setbacks and belief. It remains one of the proudest moments of our careers. We knew what it meant not just for us as players, but for Australian football.
"To be able to reunite 20 years on, back at the stadium where it all happened and in front of the supporters who lived every moment with us is incredibly special."
Quotes attributable to Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler:
"This reunion is a very important moment to recognise a special period in Socceroos history and to honour the players who have been etched into Australian sporting history. To bring them together again at Accor Stadium, alongside the current team, creates a strong connection between generations.
"These FIFA Series matches are also vital for the Socceroos as we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They give the coaching staff and players valuable time together and allow the fans to support the team before this big tournament."
MATCH DETAILS
CommBank Socceroos v Cameroon
Date: Friday, 27 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: Accor Stadium
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster
CommBank Socceroos v Curaçao
Date: Tuesday, 31 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketek
