Following the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, 2021 shapes as a significant year for Australia's youth international outfits.
Check out the latest update regarding when the Australia U-23's, Young Socceroos and Joeys will be in action over the next 12 months.
Please note that details listed below are subject to change due to the ever-evolving impact of coronavirus.
Australia U-23's - Tokyo 2020 Men's Football Tournament
Key Dates
Group Stage: Thursday 22nd July 22, Sunday 25th July, Wednesday 28th July
Quarter Finals: Saturday July 31st
Semi Finals: Tuesday August 3rd
Bronze Medal Match: Friday August 6th
Gold Medal Match: Saturday August 7th
January 2020 saw Australia finish in third place at the AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand, securing passage to the Olympic men's football tournament for the first time since 2008.
Australia will be one of 16 nations (14 of which are confirmed) who will take to the pitch in Tokyo. The qualified nations are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Côte D’Ivoire, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan (host country), Korea Republic, New Zealand, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Spain. Two nations from the North America, Central America and Caribbean region (CONCACAF) are still to be confirmed.
Graham Arnold's side will be drawn in a group with three other nations, where they will be hoping to advance through to the Quarter Finals as one of the top two finishers.
Australia's best result at a men's Olympic tournament to date is fourth place at Barcelona 1992, and Australia's U-23's will be setting their sights on going at least one better and taking home our country's first ever Olympic football medal.
READ: Australia's history in Men's football at the Summer Olympics
READ: Arnold sets goal for Olympics: First Australian football team to win a medal
Young Socceroos & Joeys
Unfortunately, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council recently decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup™ and FIFA U-17 World Cup™, and to appoint Indonesia and Peru respectively, who were due to host the tournaments in 2021, as the hosts of the 2023 editions.
Despite this setback, it is expected that throughout 2021 there will be opportunities for Australia’s best young players to convene either at home or abroad to continue their development and, hopefully, compete.
Be sure to keep an eye out on Socceroos.com.au for the latest surrounding their camps, squads, and tournaments.