Socceroos v Argentina: Riley McGree, Australia eyes World Cup revenge
Six months after having their World Cup ended by Lionel Messi and Argentina, the Socceroos’ preparations for 2026 start where they left off in Qatar — and one key player can’t wait.
Just six months have passed since the World Cup but Socceroo Riley McGree is already thinking ahead to 2026 and says the friendly with Argentina this week is a perfect starting point.
Socceroos came oh so close at the FIFA World Cup last year to progressing past the Round of 16 – but the Lionel Messi lead Argentina side were too good – despite the pressure put on by the Australians.
Argentina, who went on to win the Cup, defeated the Socceroos 2-1, but McGree said the game could have gone either way.
“I have fond memories from the Argentina game at the World Cup,” McGree said.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster. We had a bit of momentum early on and then towards the end of the game we were kind of pushing and if it wasn’t for a world class save and world class players and big moments maybe the game would have swayed a different way and the outcome would have been different.
“We learned a lot and took a lot away from that and we’re coming her and looking forward to testing ourselves again and going on the pitch and giving our best performance.”
Australia will take on Argentina in Beijing on Thursday.
With the World Cup 2026 qualifying matches not too far in the future McGree said every match was crucial.
“We want to perform, we want to play well, not only for others but for ourselves,” he said.
“We want to put our best foot forward and to give ourselves the best opportunity to play for our country and do our country proud.”
The 24-year-old said the World Cup experience and proving they could push the best team in the world the way they did had created a special atmosphere among the camp.
“As a team and as individuals if give you the belief that you can do it against the best in the world so you know no matter who you come against your a chance and if you play together and believe in each other then bring it on,” McGree said.
The versatile midfielder played for Adelaide United, Club Brugge, Newcastle Jets, Melbourne City and Birmingham City before finding a new home with Championship team Middlesbrough.
The long Championship season, in which Middlesbrough narrowly missed out being promoted to the Premier League, only finished a few weeks ago but McGree said his body was feeling fresh and ready for the national camp.
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“The season with Middlesbrough was a bit of a rollercoaster with a few ups and a few downs but overall as an individual and as a team we be nothing but proud of ourselves,” he said.
“We are back in the family and back together and nothing has changed. We’re always loving being in among each other and it is really good.”
Australia will play Argentina at The Workers’ Stadium Beijing, China at 10pm (AEST) on June 15. The match will be live and free on Network 10 and Paramount+
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