Former Socceroo and Gooreng man David Williams says the Australian team is providing plenty of hope for football fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As the national team gets set for its much anticipated match against the USA on the early hours of Saturday (Australian time), Williams said their win in the opening round against Turkiye had added to a “buzz” around the team.
While a number of US pundits may have dismissed Australia’s ability to defeat the host nation in the game that will take place in Seattle, Williams told NITV’s Nula program the Socceroos were “providing a lot of hope to football fans, not just in Australia, but around the world.”
"The games in Seattle, are just apparently a sea of yellow and the yanks can’t really compete with that because everyone’s in their Socceroos jersey,” he said.
"It’s been great to see how everyone’s come together," Williams said.
He said he expected the team may make a few different player selections "based on who we’re playing" but suggested Coach Tony Popovic would not likely change too much.
"I think Tony will still be defensive, but I think if they stick to they game plan, which is what they’ve doing, they’re set up defensively very well.
"Then with the like of [Nestory] Irankunda, Mo Touré and the subs coming on to actually add that spark, I think that’s where we can get a result."
USA comes in to the match after their 4-1 win against Paraguay in round one, while Australia defeated Turkiye, 2-nil.
Whatever the outcome on Saturday morning, the Socceroos have already garnered support and increased interest back home where Williams is watching from.
"Standing here, I’d love to be over there, and now I’m really going to be trying to get to the next World Cup," he said.
Williams is one of six Indigenous men who have played for the Socceroos.
He is currently coaching the all-First Nations Charles Perkins XI squad.
There are no players who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the current Socceroos squad.
