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Australia secured qualification for the round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 26 after a goalless draw with Paraguay in their final Group D match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Qatar News Agency reported. The outcome lifted the Socceroos to four points and second place on goal difference behind the United States, who topped the group with six points despite a 3-2 defeat to Turkiye in the other fixture. Paraguay finished third on four points with an inferior goal difference but retained hopes of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Qatar News Agency detailed that the stalemate at the California venue proved sufficient for Australia to progress as group runners-up after three matches that yielded one win, one draw and one loss. Turkiye collected three points from its victory over the United States and exited the competition while the hosts advanced in first position. The agency placed the final Group D standings with the United States on six points, Australia on four, Paraguay on four and Turkiye on three.
FIFA records show this marks Australia’s seventh appearance at the World Cup, with the team having first competed in 1974 and now boasting six successive qualifications since 2006. The Socceroos previously advanced from the group stage in 2006 and 2022, both times reaching the round of 16 as their best performance to date. FIFA data places Australia’s overall World Cup record prior to 2026 at four wins, four draws and 12 losses across 20 matches.
The 2026 tournament features an expanded 48-team format that sends the top two teams from each of 12 groups directly into the round of 32 along with the eight best third-placed sides, according to FIFA documentation. This structure has created additional opportunities for sides such as Australia, which navigated a competitive Group D that included co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Turkiye. Paraguay’s four points and minus-two goal difference leave its further progress dependent on results from other groups, the same FIFA overview indicated.
Qatar News Agency noted that Australia and Paraguay both recorded identical records of one win, one draw and one loss yet were separated by goal difference after the final round of matches. The United States had accumulated sufficient points from earlier victories to remain atop the group even after the loss to Turkiye. Turkiye’s three points from the win proved insufficient for continuation in the competition.
FIFA’s tournament profile for Australia highlights a run of consistent qualification that has seen the team improve its competitiveness on the global stage in recent cycles. The Socceroos’ defensive display in the goalless draw contributed to their advancement alongside the hosts. Further matches in the round of 32 will determine the next opponents for the qualified teams from Group D.
