Socceroos FIFA World Cup 2026 times, dates and locations set, with games in Vancouver, Seattle and Santa Clara
FIFA has released the full schedule for all games at next year's World Cup, including Australia's Group D. (Getty Images: Dan Mullan)
In short:
Socceroos fans will not have too many late nights and early mornings watching Australia at next year's World Cup, following confirmation of the team's group schedule.
The Socceroos will face a still-to-be-decided qualifier in Vancouver on June 14 at 2pm AEST, then the United States in Seattle on June 20 at 5am AEST and Paraguay in Santa Clara at midday AEST on June 26.
What's next?
The FIFA World Cup will get underway with the opening game between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 12, 2026 at 5am AEST.
FIFA has confirmed the Socceroos will have a west coast tour of North America at next year's World Cup, with a trip to Canada, a journey to California and a marquee match against hosts the United States in Seattle.
The dates, times and venues for Tony Popovic's team were confirmed on Saturday in Washington DC, the day after the draw for the 2026 event, which has pitted Australia against the USA, Paraguay and the winners of a European play-off — one of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.
That match against European opposition will be first up, on just the third day of the tournament in Vancouver, Canada, at 9pm on Saturday, June 13 — that's a good early-afternoon slot for Australian TV viewers on Sunday, June 14 at 2pm (AEST).
There will be much hoopla over the match against the co-hosts United States in Seattle Stadium, home of the NFL's Seahawks, at 3pm local time on Friday, June 19.
That means fans in Australia will have to set their alarms for a 5am AEST kick-off on Saturday, June 20, to watch the glamour tie of Group D.
The third match has been confirmed against South American side Paraguay for 7pm on Thursday, June 25, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which is a midday (AEST) kick-off on Friday, June 26.
Evening kick-offs in North America dominate the complete schedule, which was released on Saturday, with FIFA having an eye on the expected heat in the US, Mexico and Canada, while also providing most fixtures in prime European evening viewing time.
The final takes place at 3pm local time, when the heat may play a factor in the open stadium at the Meadowlands in New Jersey on July 19.
The opener between Mexico and South Africa in the roofless Azteca Stadium, scene of the 1970 and 1986 finals, in Mexico City is also an afternoon kick-off.
The rundown for all 12 groups in next year's FIFA World Cup, with Australia drawn in Group D. (AP: Chris Carlson)
Holders Argentina start against Algeria in the Kansas City evening and will then face Austria under the Dallas roof at midday (3am AEST) in their next match.
European champions Spain play Cape Verde in a David versus Goliath opener in Atlanta's dome at midday on June 15 (2am AEST), while Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo in tow, have two midday games under Houston's cover (3am AEST).
The Netherlands will also benefit twice from the roofs in the Texas stadiums, while Canada uses Vancouver's cover twice.
FIFA said the fixtures aimed "to ensure the best possible conditions for all teams and spectators while, where possible, enabling fans all over the world to watch their teams play live across different time zones".
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino on Saturday apologised to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after he was told to wear gloves in Friday's draw just to handle the trophy he had won in 2022.
After a media backlash, Infantino welcomed Scaloni back on stage on Saturday when the draw was completed to touch it with his hands.
AAP/AP