The Subway Socceroos will play an additional FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifier on home soil in March, with the Lebanese Football Association confirming that Lebanon would play its designated ‘home’ fixture at GIO Stadium, Canberra on Tuesday, 26 March 2024.
The announcement comes as a result of the current circumstances in the Middle East, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) having already indicated Lebanon’s home match would need to be played in a neutral territory, as it was during the November 2023 FIFA Men’s International Window.
Following the AFC's approval to play the match in Australia, Canberra was selected as the preferred host following discussions between the Lebanon Football Association, Football Australia, and the ACT Government.
The match signifies the return of the Subway Socceroos to the nation’s capital for the first time since their 5-0 victory over Nepal during the FIFA World Cup 2022™ Qualification cycle in October 2019.
It also represents one of only a few occasions in which Australia have played as the ‘away’ team on home soil, with the last confirmed instance during the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign, when the Socceroos faced Chines Taipei in Adelaide.
The newly announced fixture is in addition to Australia’s already confirmed match against Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, 21 March, as the Subway Socceroos resume their journey towards FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson said the fixture was an opportunity to provide support to the Lebanon Football Association during a time of need, while bringing international football back to the nation’s capital.
“I think first and foremost we wanted to be good global citizens and support our counterparts at the Lebanon Football Association,” Johnson said.
“We’ve been assisting them in the delivery of this match, doing anything we can to support them in what are difficult circumstances. Our game has an amazing ability to bring people together and our work with Lebanon is the perfect example of that.
“For all intents and purposes this is a home game for Lebanon, despite it being played on Australian soil. Our team at Football Australia will be doing everything possible to assist them in the successful delivery of this match.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Chief Minister Barr and the ACT Government for the role they have played in making this fixture possible. I cannot thank the Minister and his team enough for their commitment and hard work to date.
“We’re looking forward to seeing top-flight international football return to Canberra” Johnson concluded.
ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr said: “The ACT Government has continued to work with Football Australia to bring international football games to Canberra. There are a lot of local Socceroos fans, as well as fans of Lebanon, who will be really excited for this match, and we are expecting a great atmosphere at the game.”
Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach, Graham Arnold welcomed the news of playing on home soil and a return to Canberra.
“I think it’s fantastic we’ve been able to assist a member of our Confederation who is facing challenging times,” Arnold said.
“Throughout my time as Head Coach, we’ve had limited opportunities to play in front of home crowds, so to have two matches in this window in Australia is extremely pleasing.
“I know the players are looking forward to coming home, and we’re expecting Lebanon to throw everything at us in what will be two important matches in our pursuit of the Third Round of qualification,” Arnold concluded.
Ticket information
Tickets for this match start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family, with a Football Account and General Public On-Sale at 11:00am AEDT on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 via Ticketek.
The March FIFA Men’s International Window will see the resumption of the Second Round of qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026™, following the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ in which the Subway Socceroos reached the Quarter Finals.
During the Second Round – which doubles as direct qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ in Saudi Arabia – the Subway Socceroos will play against Bangladesh, Lebanon and Palestine in a home-and-away round-robin format, between November 2023 and June 2024. Should Australia finish Group Winner or Group Runners-Up, they will directly qualify for the next AFC Asian Cup™.
To find out all the latest information on fixtures, results and Second Round Qualification updates please click here.
Catch the Subway Socceroos FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers on Network 10 and Paramount+.
Lebanon v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 26 March 2024
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $25 Adult, and $50 Family
Football Account and General Public On-Sale: 11:00am AEDT Tuesday 5 March 2024 via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10Bold, 10Play and Paramount+
Tickets are still available for the Subway Socceroos match against Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on 21 March (8.00pm AEDT) via Ticketek.
Subway Socceroos v Lebanon
Thursday, 21 March 2023
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-off: 8.00pm
Tickets: Start from $20 Child, $25 Concession, $30 Adult, $80 Family via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10Bold, 10Play and Paramount+
