Australia starting lineup vs Paraguay confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 match

The Socceroos need a point in tonight’s match to confirm their place in the Round of 32.

Australia take on Paraguay in their final Group D clash in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on June 25. The Oceania side are in second place in the group, tied with Paraguay on three points but with a marginally superior goal difference.

Making their sixth consecutive appearance in the quadrennial tournament, the Socceroos made a stunning start to their campaign. Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe sealed a 2-0 win over Turkiye, despite the Aussies having just over one-fourth of possession.

Tony Popovic’s men then suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of co-hosts USA in the second game. An own goal from Cameron Burgess and a strike from Alex Freeman sealed a comfortable win for the Stars and Stripes.

However, with qualification on the line, the Aussies will need to regroup quickly. A win or a draw in tonight’s game will seal progression to the knockout stages for the second consecutive World Cup.

Also Read: Paraguay vs Australia: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

Let’s look at the Australia confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Paraguay:

Australia (3-4-2-1): Patrick Beach; Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar (c), Luvcas Herrington; Aziz Behich, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Jordan Bos; Connor Metcalfe, Cristian Volpato; Nestory Irankunda.

Substitutes: Paul Izzo (gk), Mathew Ryan (gk), Cameron Burgess, Milos Degenek, Cameron Devlin, Jason Geria, Ajdin Hrustic, Jacob Italiano, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Paul Okon-Engstler, Mohamed Toure, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Tete Yengi.

Six changes to the Starting XI to face Paraguay 📋Cristian Volpato makes first #Socceroos start 💪Lucas Herrington makes #FIFAWorldCup debut 🫶🇵🇾 v 🇦🇺 – 25.6.26 – 7:00pm local🇵🇾 v 🇦🇺 – 26.6.26 – 12:00pm AEST📱💻📺 Live on SBS & SBS On Demand pic.twitter.com/HtcjiXfUN5

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 26, 2026

Thoughts on the lineup

Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach retains his place between the sticks. Parma’s Alessandro Circati and Leicester City’s Harry Souttar have been ever-present in central defence for the Socceroos, and they are joined by Colorado Rapids youngster Lucas Herrington.

Aiden O’Neill continues to start in the middle of the park, and he is joined by veteran Jackson Irvine. Marauding wing-back Jordan Bos starts on the left, with Aziz Behich on the right. Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, after being surprisingly dropped in the last game, return to the starting lineup.

Joining Metcalfe in the advanced position is former Italy youth international Cristian Volpato, who changed his international allegiance to the Socceroos just before the World Cup.

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