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The Australian national team is on the verge of making history as they prepare to face Egypt in the last 32 of the World Cup. The Socceroos have never won a knockout match on football’s biggest stage, but then neither have Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
What's at Stake?
Australia's progress in the tournament has been exciting, with a young squad and a determined coach. They stunned Turkiye 2-0 to start their campaign in North America, then lost 2-0 to co-hosts the United States, before a scoreless draw with Paraguay saw Popovic’s team finish second in the group for the third time in the nation’s history.
The Opponent
Standing in Australia’s way is the threat of Liverpool legend Salah. The 34-year-old has been under injury cloud after sustaining a hamstring issue in Egypt’s final group game against Iran, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said in his press conference that Salah will play.
Current Form
Australia's recent form has been mixed, with 2W-0D-3L in their last 5 games, and their last result being a 3-0 loss to Colombia on 2025-11-19. They are currently without J. Italiano due to injury.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-19 | Colombia | 3-0 Loss |
What Comes Next?
The Socceroos are ready for the challenge, with Popovic saying they have prepared for both scenarios, with Salah potentially starting or coming off the bench. Australia's young squad, including 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda and 23-year-old Jordy Bos, will look to make a name for themselves on the world stage.
