Poppa likely a bit disappointed with the quality of these opponents.
That's based on the fact the Socceroos haven't played many games outside AFC this World Cup cycle, and of those non AFC games 3 were against the AWs.
Best case it's Cameroon and Curaçao.
No real better than Chile and Finland who the AWs will play.
Socceroos WC pool - USA, Paraguay and the Winner of UEFA Play-Off C, which could be Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/football-australia-host-fifa-series-friendlies-2026-world-cup/0a5d0e968842b63eecb97c2a
Football Australia has confirmed the three nations that will travel to Australia in March as part of the FIFA Series 2026.
That's based on the fact the Socceroos haven't played many games outside AFC this World Cup cycle, and of those non AFC games 3 were against the AWs.
Best case it's Cameroon and Curaçao.
No real better than Chile and Finland who the AWs will play.
Socceroos WC pool - USA, Paraguay and the Winner of UEFA Play-Off C, which could be Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/football-australia-host-fifa-series-friendlies-2026-world-cup/0a5d0e968842b63eecb97c2a
Football Australia has confirmed the three nations that will travel to Australia in March as part of the FIFA Series 2026.
Providing a crucial lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup that begins in Mexico City on June 12, Australia will host Cameroon, Curaçao and China PR as part of the four-nation series of friendlies.
While the final fixtures, dates and venues are yet be announced, it is understood Tony Popovic’s Socceroos will take on two of the nations in what will be the squad’s final home soil hit outs before the World Cup tournament in North America.
Alongside Australia, only one of the visiting nations has qualified for the FIFA World Cup—Curaçao who has been drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador.
China PR was eliminated in the Asian qualifiers last June after a shock loss two Indonesia, while FIFA World Cup regulars Cameroon have also surprisingly missed out despite making the quarters finals of AFCON 2026 earlier this month.
China PR was eliminated in the Asian qualifiers last June after a shock loss two Indonesia, while FIFA World Cup regulars Cameroon have also surprisingly missed out despite making the quarters finals of AFCON 2026 earlier this month.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Australia (26)
Cameroon (45)
Curaçao (81)
China PR (93)
Australia (26)
Cameroon (45)
Curaçao (81)
China PR (93)