Live: Socceroos play final World Cup group game against Paraguay

The Socceroos wrap up their 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage with a showdown with Paraguay in San Francisco.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

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Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:15am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:15am

I think you may be onto something there, Phillip

Yeah ok. Not sure that Toure not starting is the right move. Easiest way to progress is to score goals. Toure , Volpato , and Irankunda together with long balls out of defence , is the best chance of that imho.

- Phillip

It's an exciting team, and it's an exciting team that suggests Tony Popovic thinks the Socceroos are going to have a lot more of the ball than they've had in the opening couple of games.

And with Paraguay going five at the back, you could believe that.

Is it the right call?

Time will tell.

I am inclined to say a centre forward who likes playing with his back to goal would have been the play, but then again, I'm not paid a lot of money to make those decisions.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:13am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:13am

Kewell 'surprised' by the selection

By Simon Smale

Harry Kewell and Mark Milligan are both a bit miffed that Australia has not selected an out and out centre forward.

"I'm surprised," Kewell says.

"I like an out and out striker to lead the line.

"In  any team, especially a defensive team,

"Irankunda, more for me, like to run in behind.

"He needs to find spaces where centre backs are not going to be tight."

He also thinks Paraguay, who it appears are going with a back five and sole man on top, will be OK with Irankunda up top.

"They'll be thinking, if we're aggressive, we're going to be able to lock that team in," he says.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:06am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:06am

Welcome to the party, KB

By Simon Smale

Looking forward to this game Simon. I was unsure about watching the World Cup as I am no fan of Infantino or FIFA but the ABC and SBS coverage, the teams and their fabulous fans have made it a pleasure to watch. Go the Socceroos!

- KB

Key Event

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:02am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 11:02am

Paraguay name changed line-up too

By Simon Smale

Here are La Albirroja.

Centre back Gustavo Velázquez comes into the line-up, having come on as a second-half substitute against Türkiye.

Left back Alexandro Maidana also comes into the side, as does Independiente striker, Gabriel Ávalos.

Key Event

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:57am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:57am

Socceroos make six changes

By Simon Smale

Here is confirmation of the Socceroos team.

A first Socceroos start for Cristian Volpato, and a first World Cup start for Lucas Herrington.

Six changes: Herrington, Volpato, Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe, Aziz Behich and Jackson Irvine.

Only one of those is forced, with Jacob Italiano injured.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:50am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:50am

This is the side the fans have been calling for

By Tom Wildie

Tony Popovic will definitely have his own reasons for making six changes, but the fans won't care.

They will see Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato on the pitch together from the start, while the decision to play Aziz Behich over Jason Geria suggests Popovic wants his side to attack from the outset.

Lucas Herrington will make his World Cup debut.

Key Event

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:46am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:46am

BIG CHANGES FOR THE SOCCEROOS!

By Simon Smale

The team lists have just dropped on the FIFA app and there have been some major changes thrown into the mix by Tony Popovic!

Six changes!

Nestory Irankunda is in.

Cristian Volpato is in.

Connor Metcalfe is in.

Aziz Behich is in.

Lucas Herrington is in.

Jackson Irvine is in.

These are big changes for the Socceroos and it's an exciting team!

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:41am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:41am

Listen: ABC Sport World Cup Daily with Mark Schwarzer

By Simon Smale

The Socceroos' clash with Paraguay is enormous, so who should Australia pick?

Mark Schwarzer argues why they should drop Patrick Beach and recall axed captain Mat Ryan as keeper.

The Socceroos legend also breaks down why Nestory Irankunda should start and who he'd pick between Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato in his Australian eleven.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:37am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:37am

Socceroos fans are pumped up!

By Tom Wildie

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:29am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:29am

Who is going to play for the Socceroos today?

By Simon Smale

We know one thing. That's that Jacob Italiano is out of today's match.

Everything else? Well, that's up for grabs.

Tony Popovic has sprung two selection shocks in as many games at this tournament so far.

One of them worked emphatically.

The other? Not so much.

This third one could be the most crucial of all.

Tom Wildie has this analysis.

Key Event

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:26am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:26am

What do the Socceroos need to qualify?

By Simon Smale

So, the most comfortable and stress-free way for the Socceroos to get into the Round of 32 will be for them to win or draw today's match.

Here are the group standings.

That will mean, due to goal difference, the Socceroos will finish ahead of Paraguay.

No matter what happens in the USA match against Türkiye, the Socceroos cannot finish at the top.

That's because the head-to-head record is more important at this tournament than goal difference, and the USA has already beaten both the Socceroos and Paraguay.

The fact that Paraguay and the Socceroos have both beaten Türkiye, too, means that they cannot finish any higher than fourth in the group.

If the Socceroos lose, that is still not a disaster, but it does add some stress, particularly if the result is particularly lopsided.

That's because eight of the 12 third-placed finishers will also qualify for the Round of 32.

Those third-placed teams will go into a separate table, which you can see here.

It's worth noting that the Socceroos are not on that table, because they currently sit second in their group.

If the Socceroos do lose and fall to third, they will appear in the table but should still be OK to finish in the top eight.

In fact, the Socceroos would have to lose by four clear goals (4-0, 5-1, 6-2 etc) to be knocked out of the tournament as a whole.

However, confirmation that they have done enough would not come until the end of the group stages.

Read more about the whole 48 teams going into the Round of 32, and why the games are all played at the same time, here.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:23am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:23am

Watch: Australia prepares

By Simon Smale

Australia's football fans are readying themselves for another collective viewing experience when the Socceroo's take on Paraguay today.

For the Socceroos, the path forward is clear: Avoid defeat, and their World Cup dream stays alive.

Key Event

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:21am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:21am

What time is kick-off?

By Simon Smale

Today's game gets underway today at 12pm AEST.

That's the time zone for Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.

Elsewhere around the country, kick-off is at the following times:

ACST: 11:30am (Northern Territory and South Australia)

AWST: 10am (Western Australia)

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:14am

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 10:14am

Socceroos' date with World Cup destiny

By Simon Smale

Hello folks and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of a massive game for the Socceroos.

The Aussies are in action today, looking for a win or draw that will secure them a spot in the round of 32 when they take on Paraguay in Santa Clara.

My name is Simon Smale and I shall take you through every blow across the morning, with Tom Wildie on the ground in California for all the updates in the ground.

Thanks to the head-to-head rule in place for this tournament, this is the only match that matters in Group D today, with the USA already through as top of the group, while Türkiye are out.

So it's all on the line between the Socceroos and La Albirroja as to who progresses alongside the hosts (kinda).

Thanks for being with us. Let's hope it's a very good Friday indeed.