Australia secures World Cup last 32 spot after dra...

By Rohan Gupta — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

Australia has secured a place in the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time in its history following a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in the San Francisco Bay Area stadium. The result means the Socceroos finished second in Group D, with both teams aware that a draw would be sufficient for qualification to the last 32.

The match, which saw a significantly altered Australia side, lacked the high intensity of previous games, with long periods without impetus as both teams appeared content with the draw. Despite this, millions watched the game across various platforms.

Team Changes and Key Performances

Coach Tony Popovic made several changes to the starting lineup, with six alterations from the previous week. Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato were included, along with Connor Metcalfe. Mohamed Touré made way, and Irankunda started centrally. Jacob Italiano, who was injured, was replaced by Aziz Behich, with Jordy Bos switching flanks to start on the right.

Jackson Irvine also featured in midfield. Lucas Herrington, a young defender, made his World Cup debut at left central defence, replacing Cam Burgess. At 18, Herrington became the youngest Socceroo to start at a World Cup, surpassing Irankunda’s record against Turkey. Herrington demonstrated composure early on, distributing the ball under pressure and asserting his physicality in midfield.

Jordy Bos, playing on the right side of defence, and Lucas Herrington were among the best performers for the Socceroos. The team’s achievement on a cool night in Santa Clara was celebrated by over 12,000 fans.

Australia players celebrate after a draw against Paraguay was enough for the Socceroos to seal a World Cup last-32 place.Photograph: Benjamin Fanjoy/EPA Credit: theguardian.com

Match Dynamics and Opportunities

As anticipated, Paraguay adopted a defensive approach, allowing Australia to maintain the majority of possession. The Socceroos found their most significant success down the right flank with the new combination of Bos and Volpato. Both are left-footed players, which at times limited width, but they also created Australia’s best chance of the first half.

Volpato drew a defender, creating space for Bos, whose shot from 20m was saved by Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil. On the left side, Connor Metcalfe sustained an injury to his brow after a collision with an opponent’s boot, requiring medical attention before he continued playing.

The second half began with some tense moments for Australia. Jackson Irvine received a booking for a challenge on Julio Enciso, and Andrés Cubas tested the goalkeeper with a powerful long shot. A mix-up between the goalkeeper and Behich from a back pass was narrowly averted. Despite these scares, the match concluded with a 0-0 scoreline, securing Australia’s progression.

Looking Ahead

With their place secured, the Socceroos will have a week of rest before their last-32 match in Dallas, scheduled for another eight days. The team will remain in Oakland until Wednesday before travelling to Texas. Their next opponent will be the second-placed team from Group G, which concludes on Friday.

Belgium is well-positioned to finish second in Group G, needing to defeat New Zealand to qualify. Their final standing also depends on the outcome of the match between Egypt and Iran, though Belgium cannot finish top if Egypt wins.