Australian football legend Archie Thompson don yarn about wetin e expect from the Socceroos for the 2026 FIFA World Cup wey go kick off tomorrow morning for Mexico.
Di world greatest tournament go see Australia face Turkiye, USA, and Paraguay for Group D.
Thompson talk say im go dey happy if the boys just play well and get results, and if dem pass di group stage, e go be big achievement.
“You’d almost think that a pass would be to get out of the group, just because of what we did in the last World Cup,” Thompson tell SEN WA Breakfast.
“There wasn’t too much expectation on the team last World Cup.
“It feels really funny, the Socceroos team gets into the World Cup, we always put this label on them – ‘this is the worst Socceroos squad that we’ve ever gone to a world cup with!
“I don’t know why that is the case. It seems like every time, and when they go out there and they perform unbelievably, it’s like ‘this is a great Socceroos team.
“I’d be happy for the guys to just play really well, good football, get results, and if we get passed the group – it’s a tough one because it is competitive. It could come down to that Paraguay game.
“The good thing about it is if we can scrape by, we’re a good chance. Now, with the format, even if you finish third in the group, you’re a chance to still qualify into the knockout phase.
“It’s going to be tough, especially when you’re up against the hosts – the stage is going to be rocking, and they are going to have a lot of support.
“You feel that if the States got knocked out, it’d be pretty flat. I don’t know if you’d get the same sort of atmosphere if the US team was still in the World Cup.
“They’ve got a lot to play for, everyone’s got a lot to play for, but I’d be pleased if the guys got through the groups, that’s for sure.”
Di World Cup go officially kick off on Friday morning, with Mexico hosting South Africa at 5am AEST.
Australia go take to di pitch for di first time on Sunday, as dem face Turkiye for Vancouver at 2pm.
Di Socceroos squad get veteran Maty Ryan, defensive stalwart Harry Souttar, captain Jackson Irvine, and young star Nestory Irankunda.
Thompson believe say dis team fit surprise many people, just like dem do for di last World Cup.
