The Subway Socceroos will return home to Australia for the first time since their history-making feats at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, when they host Ecuador at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday, 24 March (8.00pm AEDT kick-off) as part of a two-match “Welcome Home” Series.
With most of the Subway Socceroos’squad returning to their respective club sides around the world straight after the Round of 16 match against Argentina, the March FIFA International window will be the first time the squad has been able to come home to Australia to celebrate with family, friends, and fans.
“What the Subway Socceroos achieved in Qatar both on and off the pitch was history-making and truly united the nation like no other team could, so it’s fantastic Australian football fans finally get the opportunity to celebrate with the team on home soil with these two matches against Ecuador,” expressed Football Australia CEO James Johnson.
“Ecuador is a team which competed at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year and has good World Cup pedigree. These are the types of matches we will seek to secure for the Subway Socceroos in this next FIFA World Cup cycle and as the team moves towards the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.
“During the FIFA World Cup, we witnessed unrivalled scenes of support with live sites across the country including capacity crowds at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, and we look forward to celebrating together on Friday 24 March at CommBank Stadium.
“Football Australia would like to thank the NSW Government, through their tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, for their continued support of Australian football and our senior national football teams. Without the support of such committed event partners over many years, hosting international matches such as these would not be possible,” concluded Johnson.
Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold said this homecoming series is an opportunity for Australian football and football fans to finally celebrate together the achievements of this team in Qatar.
“It’s fantastic we get this opportunity to gather again as a squad and reflect upon what we achieved at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar,” Arnold said.
“Throughout the FIFA World Cup, we saw the incredible support the team was receiving back in Australia, and we are very much looking forward to finally celebrating together.”
NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the match would be a fantastic opportunity for football fans to come together to cheer on their local heroes.
“Sydney is celebrating football in a big way, so it is fantastic that the Subway Socceroos will be playing their first home game since the FIFA World Cup 2022TM right here in the Harbour City,” Mr Franklin said.
“Sydney certainly has football fever, and we can’t wait to welcome the players, officials and fans to CommBank Stadium for this exciting match.”
NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said NSW has a huge participation and supporter base for football.
“We recently welcomed home the CommBank Matildas for the Cup of Nations tournament across NSW and later this year Sydney will host the most games of any city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM including the final,” Mr Henskens said.
“International football is front of mind for Sydney and NSW right now and it is a privilege to see our national teams play in our state, uniting fans in celebration and inspiring players of all levels and demographics.”
Tickets for Subway Socceroos v Ecuador in Sydney will go on sale to Football Account holders will go on sale to Football Account holders at 9.00am AEDT Friday 03 March 2023, and to the General Public from 9.00am AEDT on Monday, 06 March 2023. Tickets will start at $10 for Juniors and $20 for Adults with Concessions starting at $15.
Football Australia can confirm that $1 from every ticket sold for both matches will be donated to the CommBank Pararoos. The CommBank Pararoos are Australia’s national men’s football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or symptoms acquired from stroke.
