Socceroos return to Perth for first time in eight years

Football West News 1710216572,1710472433
Socceroos v Palestine

The Subway Socceroos will make their first visit to Perth in almost eight years when they take on Palestine on 11 June.
 
Australia head coach Graham Arnold joined Minister for Tourism Rita Saffioti, Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman plus Football West Chair Sherif Andrawes and CEO Jamie Harnwell this morning at HBF Park, where the FIFA World Cup qualifier will be played.
 
 
The Australia national men’s team last played in Western Australia in September 2016 when they defeated Iraq 2-0 in a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
 
They were scheduled to play in Perth against Kuwait in March 2020, but the game fell victim to Covid.
 
Harnwell Arnold Andrawes Socceroos
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell, left, Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold, centre, and Football West Chairman Sherif Andrawes. Photo by Football West

There have been a number of players in recent Socceroos squads with WA connections, including Harry Soutter, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Gethin Jones.
 
"We've got a few boys that were born in Perth and played in Perth in their junior football and they are extremely excited to play in this important game, a World Cup qualifier against Palestine," Arnold said.
 
Arnold will name his squad for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Lebanon later this month. The Socceroos coach confirmed that striker Martin Boyle is out of the squad after landing on his head following a fall when playing for Hibernian in the Scottish Cup on the weekend.
 
Templeman Arnold Saffioti Socceroos
Australia head coach Graham Arnold, centre, with Minister for Tourism Rita Saffioti, right, and Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman. Photo by Football West
Ms Saffioti said: “West Australians show up in droves to support our national teams when they come to Perth, which combined with our state-of-the-art sporting facilities is what makes us such an attractive host of these events.
 
“Hosting high-profile sporting matches and major events like this FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifier strengthens our reputation as one of the sporting capitals of the southern hemisphere and will build on the legacy of football in this state.”
Graham Arnold Socceroos v Palestine
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold at HBF Park for this morning's announcement. Photo by Football West

Mr Templeman said: "We have invested significantly in our sporting venues over the past few years and it's fantastic to see a return on that investment as we secure major events like this that deliver massive results for the WA economy."

TICKETS

Tickets for this match start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

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The Subway Socceroos FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers will be broadcast live thanks to Football Australia’s broadcast partner, 10 Paramount.

Subway Socceroos v Palestine
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
HBF Park, Perth
Kick-off: 8:05pm AWST 

TICKET DETAILS

Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Football Account Pre-Sale: 10.00am AWST on Wednesday, 13 March 2024.
General Public On-Sale: 10.00am AWST Thursday, 14 March 2024.
Broadcast: Channel 10, Paramount+ and 10 Play

FACTFILE
 
  • Following their best-ever result at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Subway Socceroos have commenced a new journey for qualification for the 2026 edition of international football’s showpiece event, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico
  • After their recent appearance in the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ quarter-finals, the Subway Socceroos’ full focus returns to qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™
  • Australia beat Bangladesh and Palestine in late 2023 
  • Last time these two met the Subway Socceroos defeated Palestine 1-0 in Kuwait in November 2023
  • This match against Palestine will be the final of the Second Round, as the Subway Socceroos strive for progression into the Third Round, which offers the potential of direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026™
  • This match represents the Subway Socceroos return to Perth for the first time since 2016
  • Socceroos