Socceroos to face USA in ‘unique' midday clash as World Cup schedule confirmed
FIFA has confirmed the Socceroos will face co-host USA at an unusual midday kick-off time in their 2026 World Cup group stage campaign.
Playing against tournament co-hosts USA in a game starting at midday will be a “unique” and “very interesting” experience for the Socceroos at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
The venues and kick-off times for Australia’s three Group D matches were confirmed by FIFA on Sunday.
The Socceroos’ first group match, against the winner of March’s UEFA Path C playoff involving Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo, will be played at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada on June 13 at 9pm (Sunday June 14 AEST, 2pm).
Australia will then travel to Seattle for its noon, June 19 (Saturday June 20 AEST, 5am) clash against USA at Seattle Stadium.
The Socceroos’ final Group D battle will be at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 25 at 7pm (Friday June 26 AEST, noon).
“It makes it more clear and even more exciting now when you see the kick-off times,” Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said.
“Two night games, and we’ve (also) got a noon kick-off which is different but something that will be unique for us in terms of playing at that time, but also something that will be very interesting.”
Popovic was “optimistic” about Australia’s chances of reaching the knockout stages.
The top two teams from each of the 12 World Cup groups, as well as the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round-of-32.
“Before the draw, you expect a tough draw. Sometimes a draw can be a lot harder than others, and I think we got a tough group but also a group that we can be optimistic that we have a chance to go through,” Popovic said.
“We can go away satisfied with the group that we have, as difficult as it is, but also knowing that we’ll be very difficult for our opponents when they play us.
“We know many Australian fans are planning on travelling, and we look forward to having strong support from them.”
Originally published as Socceroos to face USA in ‘unique' midday clash as World Cup schedule confirmed
