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World Cup Soccer

Ex-Socceroos goalkeeper and recent Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee Mark Schwarzer is speaking to The West Sport. Pictured is Mark in Northbridge Justin Benson-Cooper

SoccerCommentsPremiumSocceroos legend Schwarzer praises Australia’s next gen

With more than 100 Socceroos caps and over 500 EPL matches to his name, Mark Schwarzer knows class when he sees it - and he has high hopes for Australia’s next generation, including Perth’s Alessandro Circati.

Ben Smith

Sam Sutton will miss the start of the A-League Men season.

SoccerCommentsGlory cop double injury blow ahead of season opener

Perth Glory have been hit by dual injury blows on the eve of the A-League Men season, with one key player ruled out and another no certainty to take the field in Saturday’s opener against Wellington Phoenix.

Ben Smith

Daniel Bennie was lively in the middle of the park.

SoccerPremiumWA’s dynamic duo’s path from Glory to QPR and a World Cup

Daniel Bennie and Jaylan Pearman grew up playing together as promising teenage prospects at Sorrento FC, but never did they imagine also taking the first steps of their professional journey side-by-side.

Ben Smith

James Overy has gone from for Perth Glory to Manchester United’s academy.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
SoccerCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Perth kid’s whirlwind path from NPL to Manchester United

Two years ago, James Overy was playing NPL for Perth Glory; these days, he trains with Manchester United’s first team and is preparing for a FIFA under-20 World Cup with the Young Socceroos.

Ben Smith

James Overy during the Under 18 Premier League between Manchester United U18s and Middlesbrough U18s.

SoccerCommentsPremium‘James is an Aussie’: Man United’s Perth boy makes choice

Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan says Perth-born Manchester United youth prospect James Overy wants to play for Australia despite having turned out for Scotland at international level.

Ben Smith

Socceroos players soak in their victory on Wednesday morning (WA time).

analysis
analysis
SOCCERCommentsPremium
analysis
How Socceroos’ failures have shaped their modern success

A generation of Socceroos fans don’t know what it’s like to miss the World Cup, but the team still plays like their backs are against the wall and we can’t take that for granted, writes Jackson Barrett.

The Socceroos celebrate their victory.

SoccerVideoCommentsOff to the World Cup! Socceroos secure berth in style

The Socceroos will head to a sixth consecutive World Cup after beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 to complete an incredible turnaround in qualifying.

Anna Harrington

Connor Metcalfe is expecting Saudi mind games.

SoccerMetcalfe, Socceroos expecting mind games aplenty from Saudis

Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe is ready to run the full gamut of gamesmanship from Saudi Arabia and weather the elements as their rivals look to thwart Australia’s World Cup qualification hopes.

Ben Smith

Aziz Behich has joined the ranks of World Cup qualification heros for Australia.

SoccerTop 5: Behich’s dramatic goal just the tip of the iceberg

Aziz Behich’s dramatic, late strike against Japan is the latest in a series of incredible Socceroos moments which have put them on the path to the World Cup.

Ben Smith

Tony Popovic will face critics despite Australia qualifying for the World Cup.

analysis
analysis
SoccerComments
analysis
Socceroos in their ‘Popaball’ era, with good, bad and ugly

Both the Socceroos’ performance and result against Japan will give credence to Tony Popovic’s supporters and critics.

Ben Smith

The Socceroos are eyeing another win when they play Saudi Arabia.

SoccerCommentsSocceroos eye win, not just qualification, in Saudi Arabia

Australia might simply need to avoid a thrashing in Jeddah to secure World Cup qualification — but in the minds of Brandon Borrello and his Socceroos teammates, they are going to Saudi Arabia to win.

Ben Smith

The Socceroos celebrate their late win over Japan.

SoccerCommentsSocceroos defensive duo laud Behich for ‘dream’ goal

Socceroos Alessandro Circati and Milos Degenek were at opposite ends of the field when Aziz Behich struck gold, but they did the exact same thing in the moments after.

Ben Smith

Aziz Behich has explained his match-winning goal.

SoccerComments‘Right at the top’: Socceroos’ Behich revels in late winner

By Aziz Behich’s own admission, the Socceroos’ newest hero did not actually see his 90th minute strike hit the net. But the bedlam which ensued, he’ll never forget for the rest of his life.

Ben Smith

Aziz Behich scored a 90th minute winner for Australia.

analysis
analysis
SoccerVideoComments
analysis
Behich joins Socceroos’ folklore with miracle goal in Perth

John Aloisi in 2005. Josh Kennedy in 2013. Mile Jedinak in 2017. Andrew Redmayne in 2022. Now add Aziz Behich in Perth in 2025.

Ben Smith

Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a goal.

SoccerCommentsRECAP: Socceroos claim miracle win over Japan!

The Socceroos faced their biggest-ever match in Perth and earned a victory over Japan to all but send them to the next FIFA World Cup in North America. Recap the action from Optus Stadium in our blog.

Aaron Kirby

Australia Coach Tony Popovic is not thinking about 2026.

SoccerCommentsPremiumBeat Japan, then we’ll talk: Popa not thinking about 2026

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic understands the magnitude of potential World Cup qualification on offer, but his side are focused purely on beating Japan at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.

Ben Smith

The Socceroos’ WA contingent of Alessandro Circati, Cameron Burgess and Adam Taggart.

SoccerVideoCommentsWA’s Socceroos chase dream World Cup qualification in Perth

The feeling among West Australians Alessandro Circati and Adam Taggart is one of shared pride at potentially being able to clinch a World Cup berth in Perth.

Ben Smith

John Aloisi’s famous penalty which sent Australia through to the 2006 World Cup.

SoccerCommentsPremiumLazaridis hopes Socceroos give Perth green and golden moment

West Australian soccer great Stan Lazaridis says the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier at Optus Stadium on Thursday night has all the makings of a golden moment in Australian sport.

Ben Smith

Australia are so close to another World Cup they can taste it.

SoccerThe WA scenario facing the Socceroos: Win and in! (Almost)

The Socceroos’ World Cup qualification destiny is in their own hands heading into the final two games of their campaign - but the equation for safe passage is simultaneously straight-forward and complex. 

Ben Smith

Milos Degenek of the Socceroos signs autographs at HBF Park on Monday evening.

SoccerCommentsSocceroos won’t underestimate threat from undermanned Japan

It’s an inexperienced Japanese team that stands in between the Socceroos and a potential World Cup berth in Perth, but Australian duo Milos Degenek and Ryan Teague won’t be taking them lightly.

Ben Smith

The Socceroos training in the wet in Perth. Jett Turner (9) with Duke Storer (9) and Madelene Storer (7) turned up to watch.

SoccerCommentsSOAK-EROOS! Aussie stars brave drenching for WA training run

The countdown to the biggest game in Perth’s soccer history is underway and the Socceroos are stepping up preparations — come rain, hail or shine.

Ben Smith

Socceroos duo Martin Boyle and Mathew Ryan. Kelsey Reid

SoccerCommentsSocceroos duo chasing euphoria of another World Cup berth

With another World Cup qualification on the line for the Socceroos in Perth on Thursday night, two of Australia’s experienced campaigners are impressing the importance of seizing the moment.

Ben Smith

Socceroos’ Head Coach, Tony Popovic says Perth-raised Serie A centre-back Alessandro Circati’s availability for their crunch World Cup qualifiers was a welcome surprise.

SoccerCommentsCircati return a timely boost as Socceroos rue injury woes

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says Perth-raised Serie A centre-back Alessandro Circati’s availability for their crunch World Cup qualifiers was a welcome surprise as injuries once again impact squad selection.

Ben Smith

Adam Taggart is one of three West Australians in the Socceroos’ squad.

SoccerPremiumTrio of WA boys in Socceroos’ crucial cup qualifiers squad

Three West Australians have been named in Tony Popovic’s squad for the Socceroos’ blockbuster final two World Cup qualifiers, as the clock ticks towards Thursday night’s clash with Japan in Perth.

Ben Smith