With the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ well and truly on, the Socceroos will take to Suncorp Stadium against New Zealand on September 22 in their farewell match before they head off to Qatar.
Then just a few days later, both nations head across the ditch for a second friendly in Auckland.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Socceroos' two November clashes with New Zealand.
While the match will give fans the opportunity to farewell the team ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, it will also double as a Centenary celebration, with 2022 marking 100 years since Australia’s men’s national football team – now known as the Socceroos – played the first ‘A’ international match in Dunedin, New Zealand.
A year later in 1923, the first ‘A’ international Socceroos’ match on home soil was contested at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on 7 June in front of 7,000 supporters, which Australia won 2-1.
How to watch
The Socceroos' match against New Zealand will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network Ten.
The match will be shown live on Network 10 and streamed via both 10 Play and Paramount+.
International fans, stay tuned for more information around how you can watch the game.
Socceroos vs New Zealand All Whites
Date: Thursday, 22 September 2022
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=FFASUN0222
Watch: Live on Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+, pre-game from 7.30pm AEST
New Zealand All Whites vs Socceroos
Date: Sunday, 25 September 2022
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 1.00pm AEST (4pm local time)
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=ALLWHITE22
Watch: Channel 10, 10 Play and Paramount+, pre-game from 12.30pm AEST
How to buy tickets
Brisbane, don’t miss out!
Tickets are on sale now from www.ticketek.com.au. This is also a Suncorp Stadium Membership included event.
$1 (plus GST) from every ticket sold will be donated to the ParaMatildas and the Pararoos, Australia's CP national teams for footballers with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from stroke. Full ticketing information is available from the official Commonwealth Bank Matildas website.
The Commonwealth Bank Matildas return to Brisbane for the first time in over three years when they meet Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champions and world number six, Canada, on Saturday, 3 September (2.45pm AEST kick-off). As a further celebration for football fans and event enthusiasts, there is a special ticket bundle offer covering both matches at Suncorp Stadium during September.
The location
For the first time in more than three years, the Socceroos will play in Brisbane when they host New Zealand on September 22.
Over the years, the Socceroos have played in Brisbane more than 30 times including playing the first ever home game in the city.
Australia's farewell match will be the first appearance of the national team in the Queensland capital since November 2018.
Our squad
The squad for the clash against New Zealand will be announced in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes peeled to the Socceroos' official channels for an announcement.
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold recently provided an update on the squad's preparations and how he has been keeping tabs on his players.
“With three days in between the two games, it will be an extended squad and there will be pretty much two teams that play in those two games," Arnold said.
"I want to give as many players as I can a chance to get in that 26 to go to the World Cup and we're already monitoring players as it is now.
“As I've said the boys, no one's signed the contract and no one's been given any guarantees. It’s all about form and it's all about them being ready. It's great to see that a lot of them have moved clubs from where they weren't playing."
Our history vs New Zealand
While matches between the Socceroos and the All Whites have been rare in recent years, a historic rivalry exists between the pair.
The teams first met on June 17, 1922, in Dunedin, with New Zealand winning 3-1 in front of 8000 people.
Their most recent match was on June 5, 2011, with Australia defeating the All Whites 3-0 at Adelaide Oval, where 21,281 fans were in attendance.
Overall, the teams have met 63 times in men’s football, with the Socceroos winning 39 to New Zealand’s 13, with 11 games finishing in draws - only two of them goalless.
The record margin of victory in the fixture was Australia's 10–0 win in 1936, while New Zealand's biggest victory was 4–1 in 1923.
Team of the century
Know your Australian football history? Love the Socceroos?
Now’s your chance to contribute to a once-in-a-century list, as we seek out the views of our supporters to determine the Socceroos’ official ‘Team of the Century' ahead of next month’s international friendly against New Zealand in Brisbane.
Voting closes September 7, so be sure to submit and share your team before then!
