Football Australia is proud to confirm that the Subway Socceroos have officially qualified directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ following their decisive 2-1 performance against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday morning (AEST).
The result confirms Australia's place on football's biggest stage for a sixth consecutive and seventh overall appearance - a remarkable achievement that cements the national team's standing in world football and continues to build a Forever Golden legacy for the game in Australia.
The qualification campaign included a memorable 1-0 victory over Japan in front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium in Perth, where a sea of green and gold created one of the most electric atmospheres in Australian football history.
Playing in front of a vocal crowd at King Abdullah Sports City this morning, the Subway Socceroos delivered a composed and resilient performance to seal direct qualification. With the squad showing both maturity and hunger, this milestone reinforces the growing impact of Australian football on the global stage.
The Subway Socceroos successful qualification will see Australia come to life with excitement and celebration as Tony Popovic and his squad embark on more success in the historic 48 team FIFA World Cup 2026™.
This success is another significant milestone for Football Australia over the next year as Australian football continues to thrive -- including the launch of our Emerging Matildas and Emerging Socceroos Championships, the launch of the National Second Tier competition - the Australian Championship and hosting the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Chair, Anter Isaac:
"On behalf of the Football Australia Board, I congratulate Tony Popovic, his staff and the entire Subway Socceroos squad on securing qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This is a significant milestone for Australian football and a testament to the vision, commitment, and resilience of this team. We are proud of the way they continue to represent our country with passion and professionalism."
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Interim CEO, Heather Garriock:
"This is an incredible moment for the Subway Socceroos and for football in Australia. Qualifying for a sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup™ is no small feat, and it reflects the hard work and unity of the players, coaches, and support staff."
"Australian football in the world's biggest sporting tournament unites our country like no other sport."
"We know how much this means to our fans, and we're excited about the journey ahead to 2026."
FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ Ticketing and Fan Package Information
With the Subway Socceroos now firmly on the road to 2026, Football Australia is preparing to launch Football Account Plus - a premium one-time membership that will be the exclusive pathway to enter ticket ballots for upcoming Socceroos matches, including those at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Football Account Plus members will have access to ballots for highly sought-after tickets, with official fan packages also being made available, including curated experiences and enhanced access.
Details on how to sign up, upgrade, or register interest can be found at socceroos.com.au and via official Football Australia communications channels.
