When do the Socceroos play Paraguay and what time is the game?

Lead

Australia have qualified for the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara, California, on Friday. The result secured second place in Group D for the Socceroos, marking only the third time they have advanced beyond the group stage in seven World Cup appearances.

The draw also left Paraguay firmly on course for the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the group stage, according to Al Jazeera. The United States had already secured the top spot in Group D, despite their 3-2 loss to Turkey in Los Angeles on Thursday, as reported by both Al Jazeera and TASS.

Coverage Comparison

ABC Australia's pre-match coverage, authored by Simon Smale, outlined the team's qualification scenario ahead of the match: a win or draw would guarantee progress, while a loss — depending on the margin — could also suffice due to the tournament's rule allowing the eight best third-placed teams to advance. The coverage also noted that the United States had already won the group, having beaten both Australia and Paraguay earlier in the tournament.

Al Jazeera's post-match report confirmed Australia's advancement and highlighted that Paraguay remained in contention for a knockout spot as one of the top third-placed teams. TASS — English also reported Australia's progression, adding details of the concurrent US-Turkey match, which saw the US lose 3-2 despite goals from Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter.

All three outlets — ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and TASS — converged on the core fact of Australia's qualification following the goalless draw, though they placed slightly different emphasis on the surrounding circumstances. ABC Australia focused on the path to qualification, Al Jazeera on the final standings and Paraguay's prospects, and TASS on the broader Group D outcomes.

Key Claims

• Australia qualified for the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara, as reported by Al Jazeera and TASS — English.
• The Socceroos finished second in Group D with four points, after a 2-0 win over Türkiye and a 0-2 loss to the United States, according to Al Jazeera.
• The United States secured top spot in Group D despite a 3-2 defeat to Turkey, a result that also contributed to the group's final standings, as noted by Al Jazeera and TASS — English.
• Paraguay, ranked 37th in the world, is now positioned to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams, per Al Jazeera.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as stated by TASS — English.
• In the US-Turkey match, goals were scored by Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter for the US, while Arda Guler, Orkun Kokcu, and Kaan Ayhan scored for Turkey, as detailed by TASS — English.