30 August 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one that completely delivered. That was despite initial reservations about the new format of 48 teams and the polarised political landscape in the United States of America. That was entirely ignored as the world embraced the United States, Canada and Mexico to deliver a tremendous spectacle, with many exciting games, plenty of goals (an average of 2.96 per game), and a rare tournament where all the major stars shined. Most importantly, it delivered the right winner, with Spain. For Australia, it was a mixed bag. A strong start gave hope to achieving the country’s best ever result at a World Cup. Instead it ended meekly, and without a fight.
After a stunning 2-0 win over Turkiye in their opening match, Australia were eliminated in limp style in the round of 32 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Egypt. As became an unwelcome pattern during the tournament, Australia’s final passes were atrocious, and set pieces weren’t much better. Beyond the two goals against Turkiye, there barely seemed a time that Australia troubled a goalkeeper. With a game style relying on opportunism over creativity for goal chances, the opponent only needed to deny opportunities to nullify the threat. Turkiye didn’t respect Australia and learned the hard way. The other teams did learn and shut Australia down.
Team selection vs the USA was a disaster. It was reminiscent of the game against Germany in 2010 when a winning team got changed to avoid a defeat. It didn’t go well then. Nor did it now. The second half “response” (coach Tony Popovic’s word) was meaningless. No goals, and USA clearly backed off. Against Paraguay, they simply needed not to lose to qualify for the knockout stage while a win by Australia didn’t improve their position. A 0-0 suited both teams, and they played accordingly.
Since that opening win against Turkiye, Australia’s results were two losses, one draw, and the only goal an own goal. This was against moderate opposition too. That’s abysmal. Let’s not forget the group game against Paraguay would be a far different proposition in a tournament of 32 teams. Paraguay would need to win that to progress rather than avoid defeat. So, even Australia’s achievement of finishing top two in the group, which midfielder Jackson Irvine called an “honest” top two, looks murky upon reflection.
Questions must be asked about the coach, Tony Popovic. First, his team selections. While they worked in the first game, they were botched against the USA and were barely better against Egypt. Nestory Irankunda, who was devastating against Turkiye and scored the first goal, was moved from his usual wide position to a more central one and never looked as threatening again. Patrick Beach was an excellent inclusion as first choice goalkeeper only to be substituted for Mathew Ryan for the penalty shootout against Egypt. Not that it mattered because Egypt’s kicks were all good. It was simply a strange decision considering Beach performed so well in general play, so why not back if for the shootout?
Then there’s Popovic’s game style. It’s simply too timid and doesn’t give the Socceroos their best chance to win. The USA quickly disposed of Australia with two goals in the first half and stayed in control for the rest of the game regardless of what Popovic wants to believe. Considering that Egypt never won a game at a World Cup until beating New Zealand in the group stage at this tournament, they were ripe for the picking and delivering Australia their first ever knockout game win at a World Cup. Australia never gave it a serious shot. To finish like that was so disappointing. If Popovic is unwilling to adjust and show a demonstrable difference and a good result at the Asian Cup early next year, time for him to go.
Results
Group D
Australia 2 – 1 Turkiye
(Vancouver)
USA 2 – 0 Australia
(Seattle)
Paraguay 0 – Australia 0
(San Francisco Bay Area)
Round of 32
Australia (2) 1 – 1 (4) Egypt
(Dallas)
48 Team Format
It worked! Despite concerns of excessive lopsided games and teams playing for a draw, that didn’t eventuate. While the extra teams from Asia and Central America did struggle and six teams didn’t score a point, they all had their moments and only one, Panama, never scored a goal. It must be remembered that a World Cup means the world, and more teams means more aspiration and more investment in football around the world. This also includes the excellent idea of intercontinental playoffs that were held in Mexico a few months before the tournament, which, again, provided more opportunities for smaller countries to play on the world stage.
Unlike previous formats that involved many of the best third placed teams progressing, this World Cup saw no teams playing for a draw in their early games. The key factor behind that was using head-to-head to break ties, not group goal difference. Wins remained imperative instead of the top teams playing for draws and relying on goal difference against the weaker teams in their group. Of course, for the third group games, some teams were satisfied for draws (notably Paraguay vs Australia and Algeria vs Austria). That’s nothing different to formats that involve only the top two advancing. Curiously, there’s already pressure to expand the tournament to 64 teams. To do that in successive tournaments would be unprecedented. FIFA need to stick to 48 teams for at least two more cycles. The format clearly worked 48 teams and actually meant more groups were alive for their final group games.
Video Assistant Referee
While there was some disconcent that VAR was so precise, especially for offsides, the reality is there must be a line somewhere. Whether judging from the torso (instead of a toe) or adding a 5cm buffer, there still is a line. I’ve long thought offside should be only declared when the ball is played AND when it is received. If the player is onside when received, no advantage is gained. A good example was the controversial decision in the Portugal vs Croatia R32 match. Ignoring the fact the Croatian attacker was offside when the ball was played (so any subsequent glance off the defender was irrelevant), when receiving the ball, he was still offside, so obviously gained the advantage.
Folarin Balogun
The American player had his one match ban suspended after US President, Donald Trump, asked FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, to review the red card offence that resulted in the ban. The red card was only issued after a video review on the field. At the moment of the incident, no foul called, much less a card issued of any colour. Objectively, a red card was ridiculous for an incident that looked like two players challenging for the ball. Ignoring the Trump factor (which obviously sends many people into delirium), there actually was a valid question if referees can use video to alter the initial decision on field regarding a foul (remember, no call on Folarin Balogun). Article 27 also allows FIFA to suspend a sanction. Regardless of the result, it’s simply a terrible look for the game for Donald Trump, or any world leader, to call the FIFA president for such reviews. Even if the red card on Folarin Balogun was wrong, the review process should be transparent.
Favourite Games
1) Algeria vs Austria (Group J)
This was the most insane match I’ve ever seen! A score of 0-0 suited both teams perfectly, and, for the most part, both teams were playing for a draw, even when the scores were 1-1 and 2-2. For the final 30 minutes, barely any activity until, on 90+3 minutes, Algeria scored. Not only does that ensure progression, it’s revenge for Austria’s role when they and Germany played for a draw to knock out Algeria in the 1982 World Cup. Then, within three minutes, Austria responded to ensure the draw. Crazy stuff! Meanwhile, it was hard not to feel a little sorry for Iran. They were just centimetres from beating Egypt and progressing to the knockout stage when their winning goal was offside by a toe. So, they relied on a win by either Algeria or Austria to get them through. For a moment, it was on, only to be knocked out in the last seconds. Iran were also ahead of Senegal until Iraq’s 5-0 collapse to Senegal created the goal difference for Senegal to progress. Remember, Iraq are coach by Australia’s Graham Arnold. Was that Arnold’s revenge for that 1997 loss to Iran in the playoffs?
2) USA vs Paraguay (Group D)
The opening game for one of the hosts, and it really set the tone for the tournament. A huge, boisterous crowd in Los Angeles and a clinical 4-1 win showed that the USA meant business. All three hosts would progress from their groups and win their first knock out games. Then they were out.
3) Spain vs Argentina (The Final)
Spain were the best team throughout the tournament, even if not as spectacular as the likes of France. In contrast, Argentina were an embarrassment by playing for a draw and penalties from the start. It took extra time for Spain to win. Thankfully they did, as that cemented this World Cup as the best ever.
That was USA, Canada and Mexico 2026 – The 23rd World Championship of Football
Socceroo Realm 