Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule is now underway, with 104 matches set to be played between June 12 and July 20 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Australia has already completed two group stage matches, including a 2 0 victory over Turkiye and a 2 0 defeat to the United States, leaving the Socceroos facing a crucial final group game against Paraguay. With the expanded 48 team format in place, the tournament features more matches than ever before and a new round of 32 knockout stage.
The competition opened on June 12 when Mexico defeated South Africa 2 0 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. South Korea also started strongly with a 2 1 victory over Czechia in the second match of the tournament.
Australia began its campaign with an impressive win over Turkiye in Vancouver before falling to the United States in Seattle. The Socceroos currently sit second in Group D and remain in contention for automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.
Socceroos schedule and Group D standings
Australia's final group stage fixture will be played against Paraguay on Friday, June 26 at 12pm AEST in Santa Clara.
Group D standings after two matchdays are led by the United States, which has collected six points and a goal difference of plus five. Australia sits second with three points and an even goal difference.
Turkiye and Paraguay are both yet to register a point after their opening matches. The final round of group fixtures will determine whether Australia advances automatically or potentially progresses as one of the best third placed teams.
The remaining Group D matches are:
- Turkiye vs USA, June 26, 12pm AEST
- Paraguay vs Australia, June 26, 12pm AEST
Expanded tournament format
The 2026 edition is the first World Cup featuring 48 teams. The nations have been divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group automatically advancing to the knockout phase.
In addition, the eight best third placed teams across all groups will qualify for the round of 32. This format increases the number of knockout participants to 32 and creates a wider range of qualification possibilities.
According to tournament projections, three points combined with a non negative goal difference may be enough for some third placed teams to reach the knockout rounds.
Australia's possible knockout paths
Australia still has several potential routes into the round of 32.
If the Socceroos win Group D, they would play on July 2 in Santa Clara against a qualifying third placed team from a designated group set.
If Australia finishes second in the group, it would face the runner up from Group G on July 4 in Dallas.
Should the Socceroos finish third and qualify among the eight best third placed teams, they could be drawn against the winner of Group E, Group I or Group K.
Current projections suggest Australia would most likely face the Group E winner, a position currently occupied by Germany. Other possibilities include France from Group I or Portugal from Group K.
Key group leaders after opening matches
Several tournament favourites have started strongly.
Germany produced one of the standout results of the competition so far with a 7 1 victory over Curacao. England also made an impressive start by defeating Croatia 4 2.
Argentina opened with a 3 0 win over Algeria, while France defeated Senegal 2 0. Norway, Colombia and the United States also collected important victories during the opening phase of the tournament.
Some groups remain tightly balanced. Group G features Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all level on one point after opening draws, while Group H also remains completely even after its first round of matches.
Round of 32 begins on June 29
The knockout stage starts on June 29 with the meeting between the runners up of Groups A and B in Los Angeles.
Matches will then continue across major venues including Boston, New York, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami and Vancouver.
Australia's potential round of 32 opponents depend entirely on its final group position. A second placed finish would send the Socceroos into a direct matchup with the Group G runner up, while a third placed qualification route would likely involve a clash against one of the tournament favourites.
The round of 32 concludes on July 4 before the competition moves into the round of 16.
Road to the final
The round of 16 will be played between July 5 and July 8. Quarter finals are scheduled from July 10 to July 12.
The semi finals will take place on July 15 in Dallas and July 16 in Atlanta.
The third place playoff is scheduled for July 19 in Miami.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on July 20 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New York. The venue is expected to host one of the biggest sporting events of the year as the expanded tournament reaches its conclusion.
Australian fans can watch every match of the tournament through SBS and SBS On Demand, with full coverage available throughout the group stage and knockout rounds.
For now, attention remains firmly on the Socceroos and their decisive clash with Paraguay as they look to secure a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.