It's an exciting period for the Socceroos at the moment, with Australia's national football team in action in the United Kingdom.
After a successful run at the World Cup which saw them qualify for the knockout rounds, they have continued their promising performances and form, giving fans confidence ahead of next year's Asian Cup campaign.
Graham Arnold has regularly expressed his desire for his side to face the top teams in world football, with a friendly against Mexico in the USA a recent example of that.
Now, Australia are playing a pair of friendlies to close out 2023 before the 2024 Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers begin.
The Sporting News has all the details on when the Socceroos are next in action.
MORE: A-League Men fixtures: Results, draw, schedule for 2023-24 season
When do the Socceroos play next?
The Socceroos' next match will take place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 when they face off in a friendly against New Zealand in London.
The trans-Tasman rivals will play at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford with kick-off scheduled for 5:45 am AEDT.
Graham Arnold's side previously lost to England 1-0 in a friendly at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Socceroos squad for friendlies vs. England and New Zealand
Goalkeepers
Tom Glover
Andrew Redmayne
Maty Ryan (c)
Defenders
Aziz Behich
Jordan Bos
Cameron Burgess
Alessandro Circati
Milos Degenek
Lewis Miller
Kye Rowles
Harry Souttar
Ryan Strain
Midfielders
Keanu Baccus
Jackson Irvine
Massimo Luongo
Riley McGree
Connor Metcalfe
Forwards
Brandon Borrello
Martin Boyle
Mitch Duke
Craig Goodwin
Awer Mabil
Sam Silvera
Socceroos Asian Cup schedule
It is important for the Socceroos to be at peak performance by the end of the year, as they will then travel to Qatar to begin 2024 in a quest to regain the Asian Cup.
They were disappointing in their quarterfinal exit in 2019, but the team has come on in leaps and bounds since then and the team will be targeting a return to the final and a second Asian Cup title after their maiden win in 2015.
On paper, they have a straightforward group, taking on India in their opening clash, before facing off against Syria and then Uzbekistan to close out the group stages.
| Match | Date | Time | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs India | January 13 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium |
| Australia vs Syria | January 18 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Jassim bin Hammad Stadium |
| Australia vs Uzbekistan | January 22 | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium |
Socceroos World Cup qualifiers
In November, the Socceroos will begin the long process of attempting to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
In the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying, the Socceroos will play in a round robin format against Lebanon, Palestine and either Maldives or Bangladesh, with the top two teams qualifying for the third round of qualification, as well as qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Australia have been drawn in Group I alongside Palestine, Lebanon and the winner of Maldives and Bangladesh.
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) July 27, 2023
📰 More information 👇
📸 @aleksandarjason#Socceroos #FIFAWorldCup2026 #AsianCup2027
The qualification campaign will see two games played at the end of 2023, with the rest of the matches in the second round set to begin in March after the 2024 Asian Cup.
| Match | Date |
|---|---|
| Australia vs Bangladesh/Maldives | November 16 |
| Palestine vs Australia | November 21 |
| Australia vs Lebanon | March 21 |
| Lebanon vs Australia | March 26 |
| Bangladesh/Maldives vs Australia | June 6 |
| Australia vs Palestine | June 11 |
