The Anthem
Advance Australia Fair
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“For we are young and free… / In history's page, let every stage…”
Replaced 'God Save the Queen' as the official anthem only in 1984.
The Legends
Names that echo
Tim Cahill
Forward · 2000s–10s
Australia's record scorer; his thumping headers and corner-flag boxing are iconic.
Harry Kewell
Winger · 1990s–2000s
A Champions League winner with Liverpool and the most gifted Socceroo of his era.
Mark Schwarzer
Goalkeeper · 1990s–2010s
The shootout hero of 2005 who took Australia to its first World Cup in 32 years.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
Australia switched confederations in 2006, leaving Oceania to join Asia — and promptly became a regular qualifier.
- 02
Tim Cahill scored in three different World Cups, including a stunning volley against the Netherlands in 2014.
- 03
The Socceroos once won a World Cup qualifier 31-0 against American Samoa — the largest margin in international football.
At the World Cup
The story so far
After a single 1974 appearance and decades of near-misses, Australia has been a fixture since 2006, reaching the knockout rounds in two of its last five tournaments.
Ending the 32-year wait
A penalty shootout win over Uruguay sent Australia to its first World Cup since 1974, then to the round of 16.
Through again
A lone Mathew Leckie goal beat Denmark and carried Australia into the last 16 in Qatar.
Group Stage