Australia 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

By Phil West | May 15, 2026, 7:46pm

Some World Cup teams know, going in, that they’re probably not lifting a trophy — though they won’t admit it, and will even play a defiantly pragmatic, defensive, counterattacking style to see what they can wrestle out of matches.

That was the case with Australia in 2022, getting to the Round of 16 and giving eventually champions Argentina a bit of a scare before falling 2-1. Initially the big fish in the Oceania Football Confederation, the Socceroos have since become a reliable Asia representative after switching to that competition for World Cup qualifications.

This edition of the World Cup is the sixth straight that Australia’s qualified for.

Australia 2026 World Cup Betting Odds

To Win World Cup:
To Reach Final:
To Reach Semifinal:
To Reach Quarterfinal:
To Win Group D:
To Advance From Group:
Group: Group D
FIFA Rank: 27

Any time you’re drawn into the host nation’s group, you know it’s going to be a little tough sledding. Certainly, the U.S. is a familiar foe for Australia — they played as recently as October in Commerce City, Colo., with the Yanks needing to come from behind to notch a 2-1 win.

Tony Popovic, the former Crystal Palace center back, took the Socceroos’ managerial job in 2024 after helming various club teams in Australia, Turkey, and Greece. Under Popovic, the team’s reportedly found more overall discipline (including around what they’re eating) and are playing defensively but not being afraid of the ball.

Still, though, Australia’s in a group that’s tough to get out of, with a pivotal second match after opening against Türkiye. But it is possible to do well enough among the third-place finishers to get into the knockout rounds, and that might be just the ticket Australia takes to advance.

Australia 2026 World Cup Best Bet

Look at the FIFA World Cup rankings, and you’ll see that Türkiye, at 22nd, plays Australia at 27th, in a Vancouver stadium unfamiliar to both teams. It’s both teams’ first match at the World Cup, and Australia plays defensively. Expect a draw in this one, and if you’re feeling extra bold, expect a 0-0 draw.

Best Bet: Australia vs. Türkiye, Draw

Australia 2026 World Cup Players to Watch

Mohamed Toure: One of two young strikers who will challenge for time on the field, Toure is approaching double-digit goals in his debut Championship season with Norwich City after two solid seasons in the Danish top-flight division.

Nestory Irankunda: Popovic’s other young No. 9 is also playing in the Championship, with a little less output for Watford than his countryman’s managing with Norwich. However, he’s made a name for himself with a recent viral moment — celebrating one of two goals scored against Curaçao in a March friendly by procuring a sequined glove from someone in the crowd and doing a Michael Jackson-inspired dance.

Riley McGree: Capable of scoring, but more likely serving as the Socceroos’ most reliable catalyst, look for the offense to flow through him. He has prior World Cup experience, having played in the 2022 edition and getting an assist in the final group stage game en route to the knockout phase.

Australia World Cup History

In 1974, the Socceroos made their first World Cup and then were absent for another 32 years. After that, though, they’ve been a consistent presence, in every World Cup since 2006. Only 11 other teams have gone six-for-six in that 20-year span.

Last time around, they got through the group stage and dispatched Denmark before running into the eventual champs. They’ve only gotten past the group stage one other time, though, in 2006.

Photo Credit: AP/David Zalubowski

Phil West

Phil West is a writer based in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in a wide range of outlets, including MLSSoccer.com, Backheeled, and Howler, as well as major publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News. He also wrote two books on soccer for The Overlook Press.