Celebrating 50 years of the 1974 Socceroos

June 2024 will mark the 50-year anniversary of the Socceroos' maiden appearance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany.

This page will act as a hub celebrating and commemorating the pioneers and trailblazers of the game from that tournament as they left an indelible mark, while paving the way for future generations.

Australia, led by head coach Rale Rasic, were pitted in Group 1 against East Germany, West Germany and Chile.

Scroll below to read some informative pieces and insightful football stories as members of the squad reminisce about the tournament.

1974 Stories

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Doug Utjesenovic: A Touch of Class

In Rale Rasic’s 1974 World Cup squad, right full-back, Doug Utjesenovic, exuded a confidence which he acquired from playing football as a youngster in the streets of Belgrade.His ability on the ball, passing range, deadly, low trajectory crosses and powerful long-range shots were

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Advance Australia: The Story of the Socceroos' first FIFA World Cup

Much like the men’s national side today, the 1974 Socceroos were a diverse set of talent originating from across the globe. Led by Head Coach Rale Rasic, Australia displayed tremendous camaraderie and spirit, a rich fabric that lives on through the respective national teams. To m

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Jimmy Rooney: The Players’ Player

When former Socceroo, Jimmy Rooney, boarded a jet plane from Scotland bound for Melbourne in 1968, he could never have imagined what an impact he would make on the course of Australian football history.The memory of Jimmy Mackay who scored that piledriver in downtown Hong Kong on

Colin Curran defends Chile's Carlos Caszely in Berlin at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

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Colin Curran: The Total Fullback

Col Curran, the former Socceroo defender, was one of the most complete players ever to wear a green and gold shirt.Curran could play either fullback position because he was adept with both feet.He was one of the first players in Australia to assume the modern wing back role as he

Ray Baartz in Hamburg at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

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Ray Baartz: Still Famous After All These Years

As the 50th anniversary of Australia’s maiden World Cup Finals appearance against East Germany in Hamburg approaches on June 14, former Socceroo great, Ray Baartz, reflects with a tinge of pride and introspection.Denied the opportunity of participating in Australian football’s fi

Ernie Campbell scoring against Jack Reilly

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The Fifth Beatle: The Life and Times of 1973 Socceroo, Ernie Campbell

When the star-studded Chelsea FC toured Down Under in May 1965 under their mercurial manager, Tommy Docherty, Ernie Campbell played in a curtain raiser for Canterbury under-15s against Sydney Prague.So impressed was Docherty with the young starlet’s performance, he summoned a mee