The Socceroos are set to bounce back into Perth on Thursday, June 5th next year when they take on Japan as part of their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.

The match, which is Australia’s final home fixture in the Round Three Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Qualifiers – Road To 26 Qualification campaign, could play a key role in determining whether the Australian men’s soccer team will progress to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“It’s very exciting to be hosting the Socceroos again on their journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026, after Perth’s HBF Park staged their Round Two match against Palestine, where the Socceroos came out victorious with a 5-0 win,” said WA Tourism Minister, Rita Saffioti.

“Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already building, and we’re expecting this Round Three qualifier to capitalise on that hype, bringing over a thousand Socceroos and Japan fans to cheer on their teams as they go head-to-head at Optus Stadium for the chance to directly qualify for the World Cup.”

The Round Three fixture will take place at Optus Stadium, and is expected to attract over a thousand out-of-state visitors and generate millions for WA’s economy.

Round Three will also see the Socceroos take on Group C competitors Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Japan, with the top two nations to directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the third and fourth-placed teams will move on to Round Four for a final chance to qualify.

“Hosting yet another international football event here in Perth at our world-class Optus Stadium is always exciting for Western Australia’s sporting community,” said Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman.

“Football has grown in popularity exponentially in Western Australia in the past two years, and hosting a match that could be critical to the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign is sure to keep that momentum going.”

The match is the latest in a string of major and international sporting events confirmed for WA next year, including the HSBC SVNS, NRL doubleheader and State of Origin, Bledisloe Cup, British and Irish Lions Tour, and North Melbourne Football Club home games. 

Tickets for the Socceroos vs Japan go on sale on Wednesday at 10am AWST via www.ticketek.com.au.