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Australia Cup News

World Cup LIVE: Australia take on Egypt before Messi's Argentina vs Cape Verde

Flashscore · 23 hours ago

It is the final day of the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup and at last, it is Lionel Messi's opportunity to shine once more but can the story of the tournament Cape Verde pull off the unthinkable and ruin Messi's farewell parade? All will be revealed during Flashscore's live coverage of day 23!

Kerr relishing the 'even playing field' of her American return

Reuters · yesterday

Sam Kerr's return to Gotham FC marks a full-circle moment for ⁠the Australia great, one of the finest strikers of her generation, as she arrives back in North America after winning ‌England's Women's Super League title five times.

Egypt coach Hassan unsure whether Salah will start against Australia in last 32 clash

Reuters · yesterday

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan remains uncertain whether forward Mohamed Salah will ⁠start Friday's World Cup last-32 clash against Australia at Dallas Stadium, as the 34-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring ‌injury.

Sam Kerr makes return to US club football to be closer to wife

Reuters · 4 days ago

Sam Kerr is returning to the NWSL and to her former club, Gotham FC.

Socceroos teen Herrington hopes for Salah test in World Cup round of 32

Reuters · 5 days ago

After making a World Cup debut at 18, ⁠defending Australia's goal from Mohamed Salah is the next box Lucas Herrington would like to tick in a ‌fast-moving career.

Socceroos to host Brazil this September in huge footballing coup

Aaron Murphy · 5 days ago

Football Australia has landed not one but two friendlies against the South American powerhouses on home soil later this year.

Australia World Cup goalkeeper Beach has Aussie beach named in his honour

AFP · 6 days ago

Australian goalkeeping hero Patrick Beach said he was feeling "the love" after a well-known strip of sand in Melbourne was temporarily renamed in his honour.

About Australia Cup

History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The Australia Cup, formerly known as the FFA Cup, is Australia’s premier national football knockout cup competition. Founded in 2014, this tournament is administered by Football Australia, previously known as Football Federation Australia.

The Australia Cup follows a summer-to-spring schedule, with the competition kicking off in February before concluding in September or November. The tournament begins with a preliminary round featuring over 700 clubs from Australia’s football pyramid. However, the competition proper kicks off with the round of 32.

In previous editions, A-League Men clubs automatically qualified for the round of 32. Currently, only 10 first-division clubs participate: the top eight from the previous A-League season directly qualify, while the bottom four compete in playoffs for two remaining spots (9th vs. 12th and 10th vs. 11th). The remaining 22 participants are made up of Member Federation Clubs, teams from the second tier or below.

The tournament follows a single-elimination format, with matches played as single-leg encounters (the winner advances, and the loser is eliminated). Draws determine match-ups from the round of 32 to the semifinals.

From 2024-25 onwards, the Australia Cup champion qualifies for the AFC Champions League Two. However, New Zealand-based clubs Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC are ineligible to participate in AFC club competitions and are thus the exceptions.

A-League Men sides have largely dominated the competition, with Adelaide United winning the inaugural title in 2014 against Perth Glory. Perth Glory reached the final again the following year but lost to Melbourne Victory. Sydney FC and Macarthur FC have also found notable success, with Macarthur winning the cup twice within four years of its A-League debut in 2020-21.

The Australia Cup awards two individual honors. The first is the Mark Viduka Medal, named after the former Australian national team captain, awarded to the player of the match in the final. Additionally, the Michael Cockerill Medal goes out to the best-performing Australia Cup player from a Member Federation Club.