The FIFA World Cup has officially taken over Australian households.
One minute your kids couldn’t tell you the difference between a corner kick and a goal kick. The next they’re wearing their football jerseys three days in a row, arguing with the referee through the TV and attempting bicycle kicks across your lounge room.
If you’ve suddenly found yourself Googling “Who does Australia play next?” or “What time is the World Cup final in Australia?”—you’re definitely not alone.
Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, a dedicated footy mum who spends every weekend on the sidelines, or you’re simply following along because the rest of the family is obsessed, here’s everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In This Guide
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Quick Answers
- Why Is FIFA World Cup 2026 Different?
- How Did Australia Go?
- Is Australia Still in the World Cup?
- Who Is Playing in the Semi-Finals?
- When Is the FIFA World Cup Final?
- How Can Australians Watch the FIFA World Cup?
- Socceroos or Matildas?
- Why the World Cup Matters to Aussie Footy Families
- Three Football Products Families Will Actually Use
- What Footy Mums Actually Need on Game Day
- How to Make the World Cup Final Fun for Kids
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Final Whistle
FIFA World Cup 2026: Quick Answers
Don’t have time to read the whole thing? Here’s the short version.
🇦🇺 Is Australia still playing?
Unfortunately not.
The Socceroos’ World Cup campaign came to an end in the Round of 32 after drawing 1–1 with Egypt before losing 4–2 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
⚽ Who’s still in the tournament?
The final four teams are:
- France
- Spain
- England
- Argentina
One of them will lift football’s biggest trophy.
🏆 When is the World Cup Final?
The FIFA World Cup Final takes place on Sunday, 19 July 2026 in New Jersey, USA.
For Australians, that means setting the alarm for Monday morning, 20 July, depending on where you live.
📺 Where can Australians watch it?
SBS is broadcasting the FIFA World Cup in Australia, with matches available on both television and SBS On Demand.
Perfect if you’re planning an early-morning coffee and football session.
Why Is FIFA World Cup 2026 Different?
Even if you’ve watched previous World Cups, this one looks a little different.
For the first time ever, 48 countries qualified instead of 32.
That means:
- more matches
- more countries
- more upsets
- and a brand-new Round of 32 before the traditional knockout rounds.
The tournament is also being hosted across three countries—the United States, Canada and Mexico—making it the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.
More football?
The kids certainly aren’t complaining.
How Did Australia Go?
Australia once again qualified for the FIFA World Cup, with the Socceroos proudly representing the green and gold.
After making it through the group stage, Australia progressed to the new Round of 32, where they faced Egypt in one of the most nerve-racking matches of the tournament.
After 120 exhausting minutes, the scores were locked at 1–1, sending the game to penalties.
Unfortunately, Egypt held their nerve to win the shootout 4–2, ending Australia’s World Cup dream.
It wasn’t the result Aussie fans were hoping for, but making the knockout stages in the biggest World Cup ever is still something the Socceroos can be proud of.
Is Australia Still in the World Cup?
Sadly, no.
Australia’s tournament has come to an end, meaning there are no more Socceroos matches to watch this year.
Of course, if you have kids who are football obsessed, that usually means it’s time to adopt a “second favourite” team.
Some choose Argentina because of their superstar players.
Some back England because Nan does.
Others simply choose whichever country has the coolest jersey.
Honestly? All perfectly valid reasons.
Who Is Playing in the Semi-Finals?
The FIFA World Cup is now down to its final four nations:
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🏴 England
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
France takes on Spain, while England meets Argentina for the remaining place in the final.
By this stage, every match feels like a grand final.
It’s also amazing how quickly even the least sporty member of the family suddenly becomes an expert on tactics, substitutions and VAR decisions.
When Is the FIFA World Cup Final?
The FIFA World Cup Final will be played on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
For Australians, kick-off falls in the early hours of Monday, 20 July.
Approximate Australian kick-off times are:
| Location | Kick-off |
|---|---|
| Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane | 5:00 am |
| Adelaide & Darwin | 4:30 am |
| Perth | 3:00 am |
If you’re planning to watch live, don’t forget to double-check SBS closer to match day in case broadcast times change.
Coffee will definitely be required.
How Can Australians Watch the FIFA World Cup?
Australian fans can watch every match through SBS and SBS On Demand.
Coverage includes:
- Live matches
- Full replays
- Highlights
- Match analysis
- Expert commentary
- Tournament updates
Not keen on a 3 am wake-up?
You’re probably in good company.
The replay is often the better option—just try your hardest not to open Facebook first unless you enjoy spoilers.
Socceroos or Matildas?
If you’re new to football, don’t worry—this confuses plenty of people.
The Socceroos are Australia’s men’s national football team.
The Matildas are Australia’s women’s national football team.
Here’s an easy way to remember it:
| Team | Represents Australia in |
|---|---|
| Socceroos | Men’s international football |
| Matildas | Women’s international football |
Thanks to the incredible success of the Matildas over the past few years, many Aussie families first fell in love with football through them.
So it’s no surprise that plenty of children (and adults!) still accidentally swap the names around whenever the World Cup rolls around.
Why the World Cup Matters to Aussie Footy Families
For footy mums, a major tournament does not stay neatly contained on the television.
It follows the kids outside.
Suddenly, everyone wants to practise penalties. The backyard becomes a stadium. A younger sibling is appointed goalkeeper without being consulted, and every round object in the house is at risk of being kicked.
The World Cup can also encourage children to:
- practise more often
- learn about other countries
- follow players and teams
- become interested in joining a local club
- spend more time being active
- watch sport with their family
For children who already play, seeing professional footballers compete at the highest level can give all those cold training sessions and muddy Saturday mornings a little more meaning.
Has the World Cup Turned Your Kids Into Football Fanatics?
If the FIFA World Cup has inspired your kids to spend every afternoon kicking a ball around the backyard, you don’t need to buy everything at once. These are three football essentials they’ll actually use long after the final whistle.
1. A Good-Quality Football from Puma
When World Cup fever hits, a proper football is the simplest thing you can buy.
Children can use it in the backyard, at the park or during informal practice, and it will still be useful once the tournament ends.
Choose the ball size based on your child’s age and club requirements rather than automatically buying a full-size adult ball.
PUMA Orbita Play Premier League Lights Football
PUMA Orbita Match Premier League Thrill Football
2. Junior Football Boots
Football boots are worth considering when a child has moved beyond occasional backyard play and is training or competing regularly.
The right pair should feel comfortable, suit the surface they play on and provide enough room without slipping around the heel.
Children grow quickly, but buying boots that are far too large can make running and controlling the ball more difficult.
3. A Portable Football Goal from Toymate
A portable goal makes backyard practice feel much more exciting and removes the ongoing argument about whether the ball passed between two shoes, pot plants or garden chairs.
Look for something that is easy to assemble, folds down for storage and suits the amount of outdoor space you actually have.
Free Kick Freekick Single Plastic Striker Soccer Goal
What Footy Mums Actually Need on Game Day
The kids might be focused on boots and balls. Parents are usually thinking about everything required to survive two hours beside a field.
The footy-mum essentials that tend to earn their place in the car include:
- a warm waterproof jacket
- an insulated drink bottle
- easy snacks
- sunscreen
- a small first-aid kit
- spare socks
- wet wipes
- a separate bag for muddy boots
- an umbrella that can survive more than one gust of wind
- a folding chair
How to Make the World Cup Final Fun for Kids
The early Australian start time makes the final slightly more complicated for families, but you do not have to create an elaborate party.
Keep it simple:
- set out breakfast the night before
- let everyone wear team colours or football jerseys
- create a score-prediction sheet
- prepare blankets and cushions in the lounge room
- give younger children a football activity page
- plan a backyard kick after the match
- watch the replay later if the live time is unrealistic
A replay with pancakes is still a World Cup experience.
There is no special parenting medal for waking an overtired six-year-old at 3 am.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia still in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
No. The Socceroos were eliminated by Egypt in the Round of 32 after losing the penalty shootout 4–2.
Who knocked Australia out of the World Cup?
Egypt knocked Australia out after the match finished 1–1 and went to penalties.
Who does Australia play next?
Australia has no remaining fixtures because the Socceroos have been eliminated from the tournament.
Are the Matildas playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
No. The 2026 tournament is the men’s FIFA World Cup. Australia was represented by the Socceroos.
Who is playing in the World Cup semi-finals?
France, Spain, England and Argentina reached the semi-finals.
When is the FIFA World Cup final?
The final will be played on Sunday, 19 July 2026 in New Jersey. For Australians, it will be early on Monday, 20 July.
Where can Australians watch the World Cup?
The tournament is available in Australia through SBS and SBS On Demand.
The Final Whistle
Australia may be out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but there is still plenty for footy families to enjoy before the final whistle.
Whether you are following every remaining match, waking early for the final or simply trying to stop the kids from practising penalties near the television, the World Cup has a way of turning football into a family event.
And long after the trophy has been lifted, there will still be children outside replaying their favourite goals and dreaming about where the game might take them next.
Have your say!