After a heartbreaking exit at the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup, the Socceroos are focusing on World Cup 2026 qualifying through the rest of 2024.
The Sporting News has all the details on when Australia are next in action.
MORE: Socceroos World Cup 2026 qualifying: Fixtures, results, scores, groups, squad | Socceroos defeat China in Tony Popovic's debut
When is the Socceroos' next match?
Australia's next match is their toughest in World Cup qualifying so far, as they must travel to Saitama to face powerhouse Japan on Tuesday, October 15.
They will at least take some confidence from an important 3-1 win over China in Adelaide to get on the board in the third round of qualifiers.
Socceroos World Cup qualifiers schedule and results
The schedule for third round World Cup qualifying is as follows:
| Matchday 1 | 5 September 2024 | Socceroos 0-1 Bahrain | Robina Stadium |
| Matchday 2 | 10 September 2024 | Indonesia 0-0 Socceroos | Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium |
| Matchday 3 | 10 October 2024 | Socceroos 3-1 China | Adelaide Oval |
| Matchday 4 | 15 October 2024 | Japan vs Socceroos | Saitama Stadium 2002 |
| Matchday 5 | 14 November 2024 | Socceroos vs Saudi Arabia | AAMI Park |
| Matchday 6 | 19 November 2024 | Bahrain vs Socceroos | Bahrain National Stadium |
| Matchday 7 | 20 March 2025 | Socceroos vs Indonesia | TBC |
| Matchday 8 | 25 March 2025 | China vs Socceroos | TBC |
| Matchday 9 | 5 June 2025 | Socceroos vs Japan | TBC |
| Matchday 10 | 10 June 2025 | Saudi Arabia vs Socceroos | TBC |
Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers vs China and Japan
| Position | Player | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Joe Gauci | Aston Villa (England) | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Paul Izzo | Randers (Denmark) | 0 |
| Goalkeeper | Mat Ryan | Roma (Italy) | 95 |
| Defender | Aziz Behich | Melbourne City | 74 |
| Defender | Harry Souttar | Sheffield United (England) | 33 |
| Defender | Kye Rowles | Hearts (Scotland) | 24 |
| Defender | Jordy Bos | Westerloo (Belgium) | 16 |
| Defender | Cameron Burgess | Ipswich Town (England) | 10 |
| Defender | Lewis Miller | Hibernian (Scotland) | 7 |
| Defender | Thomas Deng | Albirex Niigata (Japan) | 5 |
| Defender | Gianni Stensness | Viking (Norway) | 2 |
| Defender | Jason Geria | Melbourne Victory | 2 |
| Midfielder | Jackson Irvine | St. Pauli (Germany) | 73 |
| Midfielder | Luke Brattan | Macarthur FC | 0 |
| Midfielder | Ajdin Hrustic | Salernitana (Italy) | 28 |
| Midfielder | Riley McGree | Middlesbrough (England) | 26 |
| Midfielder | Patrick Yazbek | Nashville SC (USA) | 1 |
| Midfielder | Keanu Baccus | Mansfield Town (England) | 20 |
| Midfielder | Aiden O'Neill | Standard Liege (Belgium) | 15 |
| Forward | Mitch Duke | Machida Zelvia (Japan) | 43 |
| Forward | Craig Goodwin | Al-Wehda (Saudi Arabia) | 28 |
| Forward | Daniel Arzani | Melbourne Victory | 7 |
| Forward | Sam Silvera | Portsmouth (England) | 7 |
| Forward | Nestory Irankunda | Bayern Munich (Germany) | 5 |
| Forward | Apostolos Stamatelopoulos | Motherwell (Scotland) | 1 |
| Forward | Nishan Velupillay | Melbourne Victory | 1 |
