Socceroos’ World Cup campaign overshadowed by Football Australia woes

May 27, 2026 — 5:30pm

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In just under three weeks, the Socceroos begin their World Cup campaign playing Turkey in Vancouver. It is the sixth straight World Cup appearance for the Australians, an astonishing achievement considering more traditional soccer nations like Italy and Denmark failed to qualify.

The four-year cycle of heartbreak that followed unsuccessful qualifying campaigns between Australia’s first finals appearance in 1974 and its second in 2006 is almost a distant memory.

Coupled with the recent on and off-field success of the Matildas, which has seen the Australian women’s football side become the nation’s most valuable sports brand, soccer in Australia should be flying high.

But Football Australia,........

© The Sydney Morning Herald