Third time’s a charm? That’s what Australia hopes will be the case heading into their knockout game against Egypt.
The Socceroos have yet to pass the knockout stage, despite making it out of the group stage twice before. This match against Egypt will be pivotal if Australia wants to prove themselves on the world stage.
A high-pressure game
Jordan Bos describes the stakes as “eat or be eaten”.
“It’s eat or be eaten. That’s how everyone’s going to go into the game, and that’s how I’ll go into the game.
“Mo Salah is a top player. He’s been at the top for a very long time. We’ll definitely have to look at how we can stop him and Egypt. We’ve already done a little bit about that, and it’s just fine tuning and seeing what the coach and the staff have in mind to help us with that.”
Bos acknowledges the difference in this game. If the Socceroos lose, there is no World Cup redemption.
“For the knockouts, there are no second chances.”
“I think it’s going into this game like there is no tomorrow because, if we lose, there is no tomorrow.”
Australia has the belief
PHOTO: Aziz Behich #16 of Australia kicks the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Paraguay and Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Scott Gould/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Aziz Behich, appearing in his third World Cup, is firm in the belief bubbling within the Socceroos.
“When you get 26 Australian boys together, that belief goes through the roof, and it’s been no different from the beginning in Sarasota,” Behich said.
“We knew what we wanted to accomplish and the first step was getting out of the group stages – and we managed to do that.”
“And now, obviously, now it’s game by game, it’s knockout football, it’s a lot different to what it was. But the boys know that, and (are) full of energy and excitement.”
Behich believes everyone plays a large role in pushing the team through knockouts, and echoes coach Tony Popovic‘s message to work hard and play hard.
“The mentality has to stay the same – and that’s to go out and train hard, and everyone’s going to press their claims, because everyone wants to play again.”
“So that’s why I think our level in games have been so high, because we almost train the way we play. That’s the way the boss has set the standards, and we just follow.”
All of Australia will be up to watch, with the stakes high and the drive higher for the Socceroos, as they hope to advance further in their World Cup journey.