- Final tickets available in Socceroos' critical FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Japan
- Qualifier to be played in two weeks' time at Optus Stadium
- Fans have opportunity to see players in action at an open training session on Monday, 2 June at HBF Park
- Events form important part of WA Labor Government's efforts to diversify the economy and support tourism and local jobs
Limited tickets remain for the Socceroos' crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Japan at Optus Stadium on Thursday, 5 June.
The match, which is Australia's final home fixture in the Round Three Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26 Qualification campaign, could play a key role in determining whether the Australian men's soccer team will progress to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Round Three fixture will take place at Optus Stadium and is expected to attract thousands of out-of-state visitors and generate millions for Western Australia's economy, as excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 ramps up worldwide.
It is particularly easy for fans from Japan to travel to WA for the match to watch their national team, with All Nippon Airways operating direct flights between Perth and Tokyo three times a week all year round.
Japan is WA's ninth biggest visitor market, delivering 27,000 visitors in the year ending June 2024, who spent $70 million in the State's economy.
Football fans also have the opportunity to attend a Socceroos open training session in the lead-up to the match, on the Monday, 2 June public holiday from 4pm to 5pm at HBF Park.
The fixtures will also see the Socceroos take on Group C competitors Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Japan, with the top two nations to directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the third and fourth-placed teams will move on to Round Four for a final chance to qualify.
Thousands of fans packed into HBF Park to watch the Socceroos' last performance in Perth for Round Two of the AFC Asian Qualifiers in June 2024 when they defeated Palestine 5-0.
The World Cup Qualifier is the latest in a string of exclusive international football fixtures secured for WA this winter, including the Matildas' international friendlies and the preseason match between AC Milan and Perth Glory.
It also builds on the WA Labor Government's focus on creating a diverse, year-round events calendar to continue driving visitation, particularly during cooler months.
Event tourism forms a major part of the WA Labor Government's efforts to support local jobs, diversify the economy and generate valuable tourism dollars for local businesses and industry.
In 2023-24, events generated a record $286 million for the local economy from major, large, regional and mass participation events.
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is reaching fever pitch, and we're expecting this historic qualifier to capitalise on that hype as our Socceroos attempt to take another step forward in their bid for next year's World Cup.
"Events form a major part of our overarching tourism strategy, helping to attract out-of-state visitors and generate millions for our local economy, and this match is just the latest in a growing list of events we have on the cards this winter.
"We're expecting thousands of interstate and international fans to make the trip over for this event, which is particularly easy for Japanese fans wanting to cheer on their national team with direct flights between Tokyo and Perth operating three times a week."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier kicks off a fantastic series of international football fixtures this winter, with the Matildas to feature in four international friendlies plus our own Perth Glory to face Italian giants AC Milan in a pre-season match at the end of July.
"I encourage all West Aussie football fans to snap up some of the last remaining tickets to this blockbuster qualifier to cheer on their national team and also head along to the open training on the June public holiday to show their support.
"We know there's been astronomical growth in people playing and following the world game in recent years, so these matches are such fantastic outcomes for Western Australian fans."
