Socceroos Kick Off World Cup Campaign Against Türkiye Today

The Australian men's national football team, the Socceroos, commence their FIFA World Cup journey today, aiming to advance to the tournament's knockout stages for the third time in their history. Their opening match pits them against Türkiye in a Group D clash at BC Place in Vancouver.

This tournament marks Türkiye's return to the World Cup finals after a hiatus since 2002. Ranked 22nd globally, they are considered a potential dark horse, boasting star players like Kenan Yildiz, Arda Güler, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. This formidable lineup presents a significant challenge for the Socceroos' first assignment of the 2026 World Cup.

Fans can follow the action live at 2pm AEST (1:30pm ACST, 12pm AWST). The match will be broadcast on SBS and streamed via SBS On Demand. ABC Sport will also provide live blog coverage of the Socceroos' game and every other match in the tournament.

Following their encounter with Türkiye, Australia will face host nation USA on June 20, a highly anticipated fixture kicking off at 5am AEST. Their final group game is scheduled for June 26 against Paraguay at 12pm AEST. To progress to the round of 32, the Socceroos must secure a top-two finish in Group D, though finishing third with one of the eight best records among third-placed teams could also see them advance.