‘Celebrating together’: Football Australia locks in Socceroos’ first friendlies since World Cup

Graham Arnold’s side will play two friendlies against Ecuador later this month, their first on-field test since a plucky World Cup campaign ended in December.

CommBank Stadium in Sydney will host the first game on March 24, with Melbourne's Marvel Stadium the venue for the second clash on March 28.

“Fantastic to get back on the field again and get these games,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says.

“I’ve been back in Australia for six or seven weeks but people are still patting me on the back, telling me the experiences they had during the World Cup.

“These two games are an opportunity for the boys to feel the worth of what they did for the nation.”

The NSW and Victorian governments were only too eager to support the Socceroos after the unprecedented scenes during the World Cup.

“We witnessed unrivalled scenes of support with live sites across the country led by Melbourne and Sydney, so it’s only fitting that those two cities host these matches, where we look forward to celebrating together,” Football Australia CEO James Johnson says.

Ecuador, ranked 46th in the world, were unlucky to miss the knockout stages at the World Cup. They were the better side against the Netherlands in their group clash, but only came away with a draw.

The Ecuadorians are currently without a manager, but in talks with Argentine Ricardo Gareca, who was in charge of Peru in last June’s playoff, when Andrew Redmayne’s penalty shootout heroics got the Socceroos through to the World Cup.

Plenty has happened to the Socceroos since. In Qatar they became the first Australian team to win two games at a World Cup, before pushing eventual champions Argentina all the way.

There was another what-if reminder this week for the Socceroos, at the Best FIFA Awards.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi won player of the year, while Lionel Scaloni was coach of the year. Emi Martinez, whose body just got in the way of Garang Kuol’s last-minute shot, won goalkeeper of the year honours. Does all that happen if Martinez is beaten?

Arnold, who remained “pissed off” for weeks after the round of 16 loss, has finally moved on as he looks toward the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

“It’s about achieving something more special,” Arnold says.

“I know I said at the start of the campaign in 2018, and I got laughed at, that we will be the greatest Socceroo team in history. Well, that’s going to be the main goal again. Achieving more than what we did in Qatar.”

Anrold will name his squad on March 14. It will be the same as the one he entrusted in Doha, except for Ajdin Hrustic (ankle) and possibly Mat Leckie (hamstring).

“I’d like to give them first chance after what they achieved at the World Cup,” Arnold says of the selection policy.

“That’s on the outside, but on the inside it‘s going to be more ‘This is a new start, this is a new campaign, giving you boys the first opportunity to impress and show us what you have moving forward’.”

Rising 18-year-old star Garang Kuol will be making the trip to Sydney and Melbourne, despite an up-and-down start to life overseas with Hearts in Scotland, where he’s on loan from Newcastle United.

Kuol is a big part of Australia’s under-23 Olympic team plans for Paris 2024. Despite the Olyroos holding a camp in Italy at the same time as the Ecuador games, Arnold wants Kuol to feel the love among the senior national team.

“It’s good for him to come back … and be around the boys,” Arnold says.

“We pick up his energy a bit. He’s had a tough start at Hearts, the Scottish game and how it’s played is completely different to here.

“The expectations of the kid are very high.”

Harry Souttar, now settled into life with Leicester City in the Premier League, will be a key figure in Arnold’s squad.

“Nearly brings a tear to your eye,” Arnold says about watching Souttar mix it with the best.

“Forget the player side, he’s just a wonderful person.

“(Harry’s) start has been fantastic. He’s in a great space at the moment and looking forward to seeing him again.”

Tickets for both games will be available from $10 for juniors and $20 for adults, to go on sale for Football Australia members on Friday, and general public on Monday.

Australia v Ecuador

Friday, March 24

CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Kick-off 8.00pm AEDT

Tuesday, March 28

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Kick-off 7:30pm AEDT