The Socceroos once again proved they belong among the world’s most competitive national teams, battling until the very end against an Egyptian side led by Mohamed Salah. However, after an intense 120 minutes, the match was decided from the penalty spot, where Australia fell just short.

It is another painful chapter in Australia’s World Cup history, as the nation continues the search for a first-ever victory in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Are Australia eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Australia have officially been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Egypt on penalties in the Round of 32. Despite another spirited performance, the Socceroos were unable to keep their World Cup dream alive and now head home after another knockout defeat.

Australia’s difficult history in the World Cup knockout stage

Australia are still searching for their first victory in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. The Socceroos previously reached the Round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they were eliminated by Italy following a late penalty.

They returned to the knockout stage at the 2022 World Cup but were defeated by eventual champion Argentina. Now, in the expanded 2026 tournament, Australia have suffered another painful elimination, this time in the newly introduced Round of 32.

Beach was replaced by veteran backup Ryan as a strategic move to prepare for a penalty shootout against Egypt in their round of 32 knockout match. We’ve seen this before in the 2014 World Cup, when Netherlands subbed Jasper Cillessen off for Tim Krul, who became a star in the shootout vs. Costa Rica.

Beach played a fantastic match but it seems like the change was a predetermined decision. If the game was about to go to the penalties shootout, Ryan would be the one favored. Hence, the manager Tony Popovic saved this sub until the very end. Now, Egypt prepares for their Round of 16 matchup.

Popovich explained the reason for the change during the postgame press conference. “The Matty Ryan decision was always an option… We didn’t lose any guys due to injury in extra time and so we had one sub, so we put Matty on.”

Is Matthew Ryan a good penalty stopper?

Mathew Ryan is a nightmare for penalty takers. Combining elite reflexes with deep tactical prep, the veteran goalkeeper has pulled off some of his biggest career heroics from the spot, making defining shootout stops for both club and country when it matters most. The hope was for Ryan to avoid Australia going out of the World Cup.

Ryan spectacularly saved a penalty during his milestone 100th international cap, helping secure the World Cup qualification for Australia. Hence, Ryan is very well-trusted for this shootouts.

Did Ryan help Australia vs Egypt in the shootout?

Unfortunately for Ryan and the Socceroos, he couldn’t save a single penalty as Egypt scored four out of four and advanced to the next round. However, it was not all Ryan’s fault.

After all, Australia missed two penalties as well, making life easier for Egypt. The highlight of the shootout was clearly Mohamed Salah making a ‘panenka‘ to trick Ryan and score.

The Pharaohs advanced as runners-up in Group G after an unbeaten campaign. They opened with a draw against Belgium, defeated New Zealand, and closed the group stage with another draw against Iran. Led by Mohamed Salah, Egypt now have the opportunity to reach the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time ever.

Australia finished second in Group D after very solid performances. The Socceroos defeated Turkiye 2-0, lost 2-0 to the United States, and earned a goalless draw in their final group match to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

What happens if Egypt beat Australia?

If Egypt defeat Australia, they will qualify for the 2026 World Cup Round of 16. Their next match would be on July 7 in Atlanta against the winner of Argentina vs Cape Verde.

A victory would also mark a historic milestone, as it would be Egypt’s first-ever win in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup. Australia, meanwhile, would be eliminated from the tournament.

What happens if Egypt and Australia tie?

Because this is a knockout match, a draw after 90 minutes would not eliminate either team immediately. Instead, the game would go to 30 minutes of extra time. If the score remains level after extra time, the winner would be decided by a penalty shootout, with the victorious team advancing to the Round of 16.

What happens if Egypt lose to Australia?

If Egypt lose, their 2026 World Cup campaign will come to an end, while Australia will advance to the Round of 16. The Socceroos would face either Argentina or Cape Verde in Atlanta on July 7.

That scenario could set up a rematch between Australia and Argentina, four years after their memorable Round of 16 meeting at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Argentina claimed a 2-1 victory on their way to lifting the trophy.

Their place in the knockout stage already represents Egypt’s deepest World Cup run since the 1934 edition, giving supporters plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the clash with Australia.

The impressive performances have also translated into a significant rise in the updated FIFA World Rankings, with Egypt climbing several places during the tournament.

What is Egypt’s current FIFA ranking?

Egypt are currently ranked No. 26 in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,584.71 points. Since the start of the 2026 World Cup, the African nation has climbed three places in the live standings. One of the teams Egypt have overtaken during that rise is their Round of 32 opponent, Australia.

Egypt earned 8.30 FIFA ranking points after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Belgium. The Pharaohs then collected another 12.70 points by defeating New Zealand 3-1 before adding 1.33 points following a 1-1 draw with Iran.

An interesting detail is that Egypt have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, meaning they have not lost a single FIFA ranking point during the World Cup.

A victory over Australia in the Round of 32 would move Egypt into the Round of 16 while providing another valuable boost in the FIFA rankings. With Mohamed Salah leading the way, the Pharaohs have already exceeded expectations, and another win could move them even closer to the Top 20.

Tejera is a referee with more than enough experience; although this is his first World Cup, the match between Australia and Egypt, which will be played in a large city and stadium, shouldn’t pose a major problem for him, as he currently holds a low average of cards per match in this tournament.

Being a Round of 32 match, it is obvious that it could be intense. Australia and Egypt need a good result since a draw or a defeat are not options. Tejera is a referee with more than one hundred matches officiated in his career.

Tejera’s experience as a referee

When speaking of debutant referees in a World Cup, Tejera’s name stands out among many others in the tournament, but with 148 matches as a referee and having worked in the South American WC Qualifiers, he has more than enough experience to be invited to this big FIFA tournament.

His debut in the Group Stage during the match between Mexico and South Korea never got out of hand for him; there were only 16 fouls, the two previously mentioned yellow cards, and no penalties or VAR reviews, which left him in good standing after his first match.

It is a good thing that Australia, entering the match with a good FIFA Ranking, has a referee for this game who understands physical play, as Egypt will likely not stop attacking from the very first minute, trying to score a quick goal to take the lead.

Although commonly associated with nearby Dallas, the stadium is actually located in the city of Arlington, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. Home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the venue is among the largest in the United States.

The clash is one of three Round of 32 matches scheduled for Friday, making the city the center of attention as the knockout stage continues. With no second chances from this point forward, the winner will move on to the Round of 16.

What time does Australia vs. Egypt kick off today?

Australia vs. Egypt kicks off at 2:00 PM ET on Friday, July 3. The Round of 32 showdown will be played at Dallas Stadium, with the winner advancing to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The match is one of three knockout games scheduled, as the expanded 48-team World Cup continues its first-ever Round of 32. Australia earned its place after finishing second in Group D, while Egypt advanced as the runner-up in Group G.

For fans in the United States, kickoff times across the country are:

• Eastern Time (ET): 2:00 PM
• Central Time (CT): 1:00 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 12:00 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 11:00 PM

Why is Dallas Stadium hosting Australia vs. Egypt?

Dallas Stadium is hosting Australia vs. Egypt because it is one of the 16 official venues selected. The stadium was awarded multiple group-stage matches, two Round of 32 games, a Round of 16 contest and one semifinal.

Located in Arlington, Texas, between Dallas and Fort Worth, the stadium is home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and was chosen thanks to its world-class infrastructure, retractable roof and premium facilities.

Australia and Egypt are playing the second of the venue’s two Round of 32 fixtures, with the winner returning to Dallas Stadium for a Round of 16 match. The venue will also stage one of the tournament’s two semifinals later in July.

How many fans can Dallas Stadium hold?

Dallas Stadium can accommodate more than 90,000 spectators for FIFA World Cup matches. While its standard NFL seating capacity is about 80,000, the venue was specifically designed to expand for major international events.

Opened in 2009, the stadium features a retractable roof and one of the world’s largest center-hung high-definition video boards. Those features, combined with its modern amenities and flexible seating configuration, helped secure its place.

With Australia and Egypt battling for a place in the Round of 16, another crowd of more than 90,000 fans is expected to create one of the most electric atmospheres of the knockout stage at Dallas Stadium.

Australia are currently ranked No. 28 in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,581.35 points. They enter the knockout phase looking to build on recent World Cup experience, having reached the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022 before being eliminated by Argentina.

With Australia’s chance to surpass the furthest they’ve gone at a World Cup, The Socceroos reached this stage after a mixed group campaign, opening with a 2-0 win over Turkey before falling by the same scoreline against the United States and finishing with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay. Egypt, meanwhile, went unbeaten in the group stage, drawing 1-1 with Belgium and Iran while securing a 3-1 win over New Zealand.

How Australia and Egypt compare heading into the Round of 32

Australia are currently ranked No. 28 in the FIFA World Ranking, while Egypt sit slightly higher at No. 26 with 1,584.71 points. The narrow gap highlights how evenly matched both teams are heading into one of the most competitive fixtures of the Round of 32.

With both teams separated by minimal ranking difference and strong defensive foundations on display in the group stage, the matchup promises to be a finely balanced contest where small details could determine qualification.

The Australian national team has advanced beyond the group stage on three occasions, first at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and again at the 2022 tournament in Qatar before repeating the feat in 2026.

Australia made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1974 after qualifying for the tournament in West Germany. Drawn into a difficult group, the Socceroos were eliminated after facing East Germany, host nation West Germany, and Chile.

Australia’s World Cup finishes throughout history

Their first appearance in the knockout stage came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Australia advanced from a challenging group featuring Brazil, Croatia, and Japan before suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Italy after Francesco Totti converted a penalty in stoppage time.

The Socceroos matched that achievement at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After recovering from an opening loss to France with victories over Tunisia and Denmark, Australia reached the Round of 16, where it fell 2-1 to eventual champion Argentina despite a determined performance.

In 2026, Australia made it out of the group stage again by beating Turkiye 2-0 and drawing against Paraguay 0-0 despite a 2-0 loss to the USA. Their World Cup run ended in the Round of 32 with a penalty shootout loss to Egypt, extending the Socceroos’ wait for a win in the knockout stage.

Australia’s World Cup finishes are:

• 1974: Group stage (14th place)
• 2006: Round of 16 (16th place)
• 2010: Group stage (21st place)
• 2014: Group stage (30th place)
• 2018: Group stage (30th place)
• 2022: Round of 16 (11th place)
• 2026: Round of 32.

Australia’s World Cup history

One of Australia’s most memorable World Cup victories came during the 2006 tournament, when Tim Cahill scored twice before John Aloisi added a stoppage-time goal in a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Japan. The result helped propel the Socceroos to their first-ever appearance in the knockout stage.

Since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, Australia have established themself as one of Asia’s strongest national teams but a first-ever quarterfinal appearance at the FIFA World Cup remains elusive.

Egypt, one of the few African nations still alive in the World Cup, will sport its classic red jersey against Australia. This marks the third time in the tournament that the Egyptian national team will wear this look.

Australia is easy to spot on the field in gold, though during the group stage, the Socceroos lost a match to the United States while wearing an all-gold kit. That included gold shorts, which won’t be the case against Egypt.

Egypt and Australia uniforms

It’s hard to say if the gold jersey brings Australia any real luck, but the national team will take any edge it can get against Egypt. The jersey will be paired with olive green shorts and white socks, while the goalkeeper will wear an all-purple kit.

Egypt will be easily identifiable on the field in its sharp red jersey with black accents, rounded out by white shorts and black socks. The Egyptian goalkeeper will suit up in a full turquoise kit.

If Egypt advances further in the World Cup, their alternate kit options include an all-white look or white jerseys with black shorts. Australia’s secondary uniform is a solid olive green.

The answer lies in a unique piece of the country’s sporting identity, one that predates the modern era of international soccer and has become a symbol of national pride. The nation’s official sporting colors are green and gold.

Those colors were formally proclaimed as the national colors in 1984. Inspired by the golden wattle, the combination represents the landscapes, natural heritage and the long tradition of international competition.

What is the meaning of Australia’s green and gold jersey?

Australia’s green and gold jersey represents the country’s national sporting colors and symbolizes its natural landscape, heritage and identity.

The colors worn by the Socceroos are inspired by the golden wattle and Australia’s national floral emblem, whose bright yellow blossoms and green leaves have long been associated with the nation.

The meaning behind the colors extends beyond soccer. Gold reflects Australia’s beaches, mineral wealth, wheat fields and sporting success, while green represents its forests, eucalyptus trees, grasslands and vast natural landscapes.

Australia is one of several countries whose sporting identity differs from its national flag. For decades, Australian teams across cricket, rugby, athletics, swimming and soccer have embraced green and gold.

When did Australia adopt green and gold as its national sporting colors?

Australia officially adopted green and gold as its national colors on April 19, 1984, when Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen signed a formal proclamation recognizing them. However, the colors had already been associated with Australian sport for nearly a century before receiving official status.

Green and gold first gained prominence in the late 19th century. Historians generally trace their sporting debut to the Australian cricket team’s 1899 tour of England, when captain Joe Darling introduced green caps and gold blazers to distinguish the side from other teams representing the British Empire.

Before 1984, Australia had no officially designated national colors. Different combinations—including red, white and blue, which appear on the national flag, and blue and gold, which are linked to the Commonwealth Coat of Arms—were used to represent the country.

How to watch Australia vs Egypt in the USA

Fans in the United States can catch every minute live on FOX and Telemundo with most cable or satellite TV services.

Streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium, so be sure to tune in and watch every moment.

Can I watch Australia vs Egypt for free?

U.S. fans can watch this matchup live on Fubo and DirecTV Stream, with both services offering eligible new users a free five-day trial.

Available nationwide, both services provide full match coverage from kickoff to the final whistle.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

History is on the line as Australia and Egypt battle with a chance to reach new heights at the FIFA World Cup. The Socceroos have made it out of the group stage twice before, but they’re still searching for their first-ever knockout victory.

Standing in their way is an Egyptian side already enjoying its best World Cup campaign, having secured the nation’s first tournament win and first trip to the knockout rounds. With another landmark achievement within reach, both teams will be determined to keep their historic runs alive.

Australia vs Egypt: Predicted Lineups

Australia (4-3-3): Mathew Ryan, Jason Geria, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Nestory Irankunda.

Egypt (4-2-3-1): Mohamed El Shenawy; Ahmed Fatouh, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia; Emam Ashour, Hamdy Fathy; Ibrahim Adel, Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud Hassan Trézéguet; Mohamed Salah.

What time is the Australia vs Egypt match?

The match kicks off today, July 3, at 2:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 2:00 PM
Central Time: 1:00 PM
Mountain Time: 12:00 PM
Pacific Time: 11:00 AM