Revealed: Who the Socceroos will play in their final warm-up game ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Socceroos will have the perfect warm-up match ahead of their World Cup campaign when they face co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in California. 

Australia will head to Pasadena, Los Angeles for their clash with the world No.16 on May 31 AEST, which will double as the final audition for many players ahead of coach Tony Popovic picking his squad. 

The 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl, which hosted the final of the 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup, is expected to sell out – and will be packed with Mexican fans. 

The Socceroos can expect a parochial, hostile crowd – the perfect preparation ahead of a World Cup group stage featuring another co-host, the United States. 

Australia have played Mexico six times, first meeting in 1970, for two wins, three draws and one loss. 

Most recently, while still under Graham Arnold, the Socceroos drew 2-2 with Mexico in Arlington, Texas in September 2023. 

The Socceroos confirmed the match against Mexico via their social media channels, with a hostile crowd anticipated

‘This will be one of our final friendlies before our opening FIFA World Cup match in Vancouver, against one of the UEFA Playoff winners,’ Popovic said in a statement. 

‘It is also the last opportunity for players to impress before the final 2026 World Cup squad list must be submitted to FIFA. 

‘Mexico is a quality opponent and having automatically qualified for the tournament as co-hosts, every friendly is crucial for them. 

‘We are looking forward to this match, which promises a wonderful atmosphere at an iconic stadium.’ 

Squad sizes for the World Cup are yet to be confirmed – but will be either 23 or 26 players.

The Mexico match will be a crucial warm-up for established Socceroos, but will also be the final pitch for fringe players to seal their place in the squad. 

After the Mexico match, the Socceroos will relocate to their base in the Bay Area to complete their preparations for the group stage. 

Australia has been drawn in Group D for the World Cup. 

The Rose Bowl in Los Angeles hosted the 1994 World Cup final (pictured) and will be the venue for Australia’s warm-up match against Mexico

Socceroos young gun Mohamed Toure (centre) has had a dream start for Norwich in the Championship and is pushing for a starting spot in the team for the World Cup in June

The Socceroos take on the winner of UEFA Playoff C – either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo – in Vancouver on June 14 (AEDT) before facing the United States in Seattle on June 20. 

Their final group-stage clash will be against Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 26. 

The Socceroos also have send-off games against Cameroon at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on March 27 and Curacao at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on March 31. 

The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 12 (AEST) – with the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa.

All 104 games from host nations the United States, Canada and Mexico will be shown live and free on SBS.