- Socceroos vs Japan qualifier to take place in Perth
- Match is a critical step in Socceroos' journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026
- Qualifier to be played at Optus Stadium on Thursday, 5 June 2025
- Supported by the Western Australian Government
The Socceroos are set to bounce back into Perth on Thursday, 5 June 2025 when they take on Japan as part of their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.
The match, which is Australia's final home fixture in the Round Three Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26 Qualification campaign, could play a key role in determining whether the Australian men's soccer team will progress to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Round Three fixture will take place at Optus Stadium, and is expected to attract over a thousand out-of-state visitors and generate millions for WA's economy, as excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 ramps up worldwide.
Japan is WA's ninth biggest visitor market, delivering 27,000 visitors in the year ending June 2024 who spent $70 million in the State's economy.
Importantly, it's easy for those fans from Japan to travel to WA for the match, with All Nippon Airways operating direct flights between Perth and Tokyo three times a week all year round.
Additionally, the match will generate significant national and international media coverage for Western Australia, with millions of viewers from across the world expected to tune in.
Round Three will also see the Socceroos take on Group C competitors Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Japan, with the top two nations to directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the third and fourth-placed teams will move on to Round Four for a final chance to qualify.
Thousands of fans packed into HBF Park to watch the Socceroos' last performance in Perth for Round Two of the AFC Asian Qualifiers in June 2024 when they defeated Palestine 5-0.
The match is the latest in a string of major and international sporting events confirmed for WA next year, including the HSBC SVNS, NRL doubleheader and State of Origin, Bledisloe Cup, British and Irish Lions Tour, and North Melbourne Football Club home games.
Tickets for the Socceroos vs Japan go on sale on Wednesday at 10am AWST via www.ticketek.com.au
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"It's very exciting to be hosting the Socceroos again on their journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026, after Perth's HBF Park staged their Round Two match against Palestine, where the Socceroos came out victorious with a 5-0 win.
"Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already building, and we're expecting this Round Three qualifier to capitalise on that hype, bringing over a thousand Socceroos and Japan fans to cheer on their teams as they go head-to-head at Optus Stadium for the chance to directly qualify for the World Cup.
"Of course, it's also easy for Japanese fans to travel to WA for the match, with direct flights between Tokyo and Perth operating three times a week.
"Events form a major part of our overarching tourism strategy, helping to attract out-of-state visitors and generate millions for our local economy, and this match is just the latest in a growing list of events we have secured for WA next year."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"Hosting yet another international football event here in Perth at our world-class Optus Stadium is always exciting for Western Australia's sporting community.
"Football has grown in popularity exponentially in Western Australia in the past two years, and hosting a match that could be critical to the Socceroos' FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign is sure to keep that momentum going."
