The who’s who of Hollywood have packed into the United States’ World Cup demolition of Paraguay at Sofi Stadium on Saturday.
Aaron Kirby
As a player and a coach, Tony Popovic has already left an indelible mark on Australian football and the Socceroos — but it is what comes next which interests him most.
Ben Smith
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is ignoring the outside noise about his team’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup knock-out stages, urging his side to ‘spoil the party’ after Turkiye’s captain’s bold claim.
You can sort Perth Glory’s A-League history into before Popovic and after Popovic. Six years on from his exit, the club’s lack of success is well-documented, while he is coaching the Socceroos at a World Cup.
The World Cup has given Australia moments of both ecstasy and agony — and on the eve of their 2026 edition of the tournament, The West Australian has taken a look back at five of the most significant.
Josh Kempton
On the eve of the Socceroos’ World Cup opener, Football Australia have made a huge call on coach Tony Popovic’s future.
Socceroos striker Mo Toure’s availability for Australia’s World Cup opener against Turkiye has received a boost, with teammates Jacob Italiano and Aziz Behich offering assurance he has returned to training.
The Latin music sensation performed in Mexico ahead of the tournament’s opening game.
Zach Margolius
From respected, history-making veterans to a group of rising stars, there is plenty of talent hoping to write their name into Australian history at the World Cup. Here are the key facts on every player.
The Socceroos’ Scottish-born defender Harry Souttar is proud to be an honorary West Aussie and has offered an insight into his Perth-raised defensive partners Alessandro Circati and Cameron Burgess.
The Netherlands may be heavily favoured to top Group F, but with a rising Japan, improving Sweden and tricky Tunisia for company, it is no sure thing.
Tony Popovic always keeps you guessing - it is what makes predicting his starting 11 for the Socceroos’ World Cup opener against Turkiye this weekend a potentially futile, but ultimately fun, exercise.
Germany may be favourites in Group E, but the emergence of Ecuador and threat of Cote d’Ivoire mean they will face a fight to qualify top, while first-timers Curacao eye a piece of history.
The Socceroos’ preparations for their FIFA World Cup opener have potentially been dealt a significant blow after striker Mo Toure was not sighted during the warm-up.
Welcome to the most-even group (in terms of FIFA rankings) at the World Cup. The Socceroos will have their work cut out for them - but so too will hosts USA, dark horses Turkiye and underrated Paraguay.
Jacob Italiano was the much-touted Perth Glory young gun who moved to Germany and fell off the radar of most fans. Now, he is a Socceroos starter at a World Cup. This is his story of resilience and grit.
Socceroos legend Harry Kewell says Australia may only get “one or two opportunities” to score per game at the World Cup, making one star’s impact crucial.
Marco Monteverde
At just 22, Perth’s own Alessandro Circati has captained both club and country. As he prepares for his World Cup debut, the Socceroos star opens up on what it takes to be a leader at such a young age.
Download your World Cup planner for your complete guide to when and where every match is played in WA time!
The West Australian
Brazil have been chasing an elusive sixth World Cup for near-on two decades. They will face stiff opposition early in emerging power Morocco, while first-timers Haiti and a returning Scotland will eye upsets.
Socceroos goalkeeper Paul Izzo and winger Nishan Velupillay have praised the detail-oriented impact of coach Tony Popovic as the team puts the final touches on its preparations for the World Cup opener.
There is excitement in Canada as they prepare to co-host the World Cup — but against a strong Switzerland, tough Bosnia and Herzegovina and unpredictable Qatar, can they reach the knockout stage?
All eyes will be on Mexico when the co-hosts kick-off the FIFA World Cup in June — but can they escape a group featuring South Korea, Czechia and South Africa?
In an era of load management in sport, the Socceroos’ West Aussie centre-back Cameron Burgess took a sledgehammer to the notion as he played every minute of Swansea’s 46-game league campaign.
