Socceroos Secure Knockout Spot After Goalless Draw with Paraguay
Australia advances to the Round of 32 for the third time in its history, and the second consecutive tournament.
The Australian men's national football team (Socceroos) has booked its place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense 0-0 draw against Paraguay in their final Group D match. The result confirmed Australia's second-place finish in the group.
Australia finished Group D with four points, following a 2-0 victory over Turkiye and a 2-0 loss to the United States. Paraguay, with one win and one loss from their opening two games, also advanced, finishing third in the group.
Match Summary: A Cautious Affair
The match took place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Both teams entered the match knowing a draw would be favorable for progression, leading to a conservative first half. Australia showed energy but lacked finishing ability, while Paraguay managed only one shot. The second half followed a similar pattern, with limited chances. A shot by Australia's Jordan Bos in the 90th minute provided a rare moment of excitement. The combined expected goals for the match was just 0.83 for both teams.
Key incidents included a yellow card to Australia's Jackson Irvine in the 47th minute for a challenge on Julio Enciso. Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made a crucial save in the second half. Australia made one substitution, replacing Cristian Volpato with Ajdin Hrustic in the 58th minute. Paraguay made two substitutions in the second half.
Team News & Injury Report
Australia will enter the knockout rounds with a 24-player squad after two key players left the camp due to injuries.
- Matthew Leckie: Sustained a hamstring injury in the loss to the USA.
- Jacob Italiano: Suffered a groin problem during training before the Paraguay match.
Football Australia confirmed both players have returned to their clubs' countries for rehabilitation.
For the match against Paraguay, coach Tony Popovic made six changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against the United States, setting a record for the Socceroos. Some changes were injury-forced, others tactical. Assistant coach Paul Okon indicated multiple changes were planned, with at least one forced due to Leckie's absence. Popovic confirmed that every player in the squad has a chance to play.
Coach's Defence of Selection Decisions
Coach Tony Popovic defended his selection decisions in a post-match press conference, stating that no player is entitled to a starting position and each match requires a different approach.
"Every player is important. No one is entitled to the shirt. And each game is different... I'll always back my decision."
He also stated that the team did not play for a draw and controlled the game, creating better opportunities.
Qualification Scenarios & Progression Probabilities
A win or draw against Paraguay was sufficient for Australia to secure advancement. According to Opta simulations, Australia had a 61% chance of finishing in the top two of Group D prior to the match. Even if Australia had lost by a single goal, they had a 96% chance of progressing as a best third-placed side. Australia's knockout stage chance was 91% before the match.
Upcoming Round of 32 Opponent
Australia will face an opponent from Group G in the Round of 32. As the runner-up of Group D, Australia will play the second-placed team from Group G, which includes Belgium, Iran, Egypt, and New Zealand. Australia's Round of 32 match is scheduled for July 4 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas. The team will relocate to Dallas on July 1 for preparation.
Group D Final Standings
Position Team Points 1 USA 6 2 Australia 4 3 Paraguay 4 4 Türkiye 0The United States won their first match 4-1 against Paraguay and defeated Australia 2-0. Paraguay lost 4-1 to the USA, defeated Turkiye, and then drew with Australia. Turkiye lost all three group matches.
Background
Australia's squad includes 17 players making their World Cup debut. Notable young players include forwards Mo Toure and Nestory Irankunda, and defenders Alessandro Circati, Jordy Bos, and Lucas Herrington. Coach Tony Popovic has led the team since 2024, winning 10 of 18 matches.
Australia has advanced to the knockout stage in previous tournaments, including a round of 16 exit in 2022 where they lost to eventual champion Argentina. The team has not missed qualification since joining the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006.