Socceroos’ full 2026 FIFA World Cup path after 96th-minute drama confirms full knockout bracket

The World Cup group stage is done and dusted, with the 32 knockout qualifiers locked in after 72 games.

Australia progressed to the next stage having finished second in their group, with Tony Popovic’s men set to face Egypt in the round of 32.

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If they can record a maiden World Cup knockouts win Australia would then face Argentina or Cabo Verde in the round of 16.

A miracle run to the quarter-finals would see the Socceroos facing one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana.

The Socceroos could then, in a dream scenario, face England in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile in the final match of the group stage Austria scored in the 96th minute to force a 3-3 draw with Algeria, sending both teams through and eliminating Iran.

The teams appeared to have settled for a 2-2 draw before Riyad Mahrez put the Algerians ahead in added time.

That would’ve seen them facing Spain in the round-of-32, but now they face Swizterland instead.

WHICH TEAMS ADVANCED?

Group A – Mexico, South Africa

Group B – Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Group C – Brazil, Morocco

Group D – USA, Australia, Paraguay

Group E – Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F – Netherlands, Japan, Sweden

Group G – Belgium, Egypt

Group H – Spain, Cabo Verde

Group I – France, Norway, Senegal

Group J – Argentina, Austria, Algeria

Group K – Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo

Group L – England, Ghana, Croatia

Eliminated: South Korea, Czechia, Qatar, Scotland, Haiti, Turkiye, Curacao, Tunisia, Iran, New Zealand, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Panama

Of the nine Asian confederation teams that made the World Cup, only two qualified for the knockouts - Japan and Australia.

ROUND OF 32 MATCHES

All times AEST

South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles – June 29th, 5am

Brazil vs Japan in Houston – June 30th, 3am

Germany vs Paraguay in Boston – June 30th, 6:30am

Netherlands vs Morocco in Monterrey – June 30th, 11am

Ivory Coast vs Norway in Dallas – July 1st, 3am

France vs Sweden in New York – July 1st, 7am

Mexico vs Ecuador in Mexico City – July 1st, 11am

England vs DR Congo in Atlanta – July 2nd, 2am

Belgium vs Senegal in Seattle – July 2nd, 6am

USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco Bay Area – July 2nd, 10am

Spain vs Austria in Los Angeles – July 3rd, 5am

Portugal vs Croatia in Toronto – July 3rd, 9am

Switzerland vs Algeria in Vancouver – July 3rd, 1pm

Australia vs Egypt in Dallas – July 4th, 4am

Argentina vs Cape Verde in Miami – July 4th, 8am

Colombia v Ghana in Kansas City – July 4th, 11:30am

AUSTRALIA’S PATH TO FINALS

All times AEST

Round of 32 vs Egypt in Dallas – July 4th, 4am

Round of 16 vs Argentina/Cabo Verde in Atlanta – July 8th, 2am

Quarter-final vs Colombia/Ghana or Switzerland/Algeria in Kansas City – July 12th, 11am

Semi-final vs Brazil/Japan, Cote d’Ivoire/Norway, Mexico/Ecuador or England/DR Congo in Atlanta – July 16th, 5am

Final vs Germany/Paraguay, France/Sweden, South Africa/Canada, Netherlands/Morocco, Portugal/Croatia, Spain/Austria, US/Bosnia and Herzegovina or Belgium/Senegal in New York – July 20th, 5am

ENGLAND’S PATH TO FINALS

All times AEST

Round of 32 vs DR Congo in Atlanta – July 2nd, 2am

Round of 16 vs Mexico/Ecuador in Mexico City – July 6th, 10am

Quarter-final vs Brazil/Japan or Cote d’Ivoire/Norway in Miami – July 12th, 7am

Semi-final vs Argentina/Cabo Verde, Australia/Egypt, Switzerland/Algeria or Colombia/Ghana in Atlanta – July 16th, 5am

Final vs Germany/Paraguay, France/Sweden, South Africa/Canada, Netherlands/Morocco, Portugal/Croatia, Spain/Austria, US/Bosnia and Herzegovina or Belgium/Senegal in New York – July 20th, 5am

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