The CommBank Young Socceroos face Cuba U20 with a simple task: win, and be a chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 as one of four best third-place teams.
It is all on the line for Trevor Morgan’s men who must win by a potentially significant margin to have any chance to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Read our preview of the Australia’s final Group D match below.
The tournament so far
Australia are currently bottom of Group D, having failed to pick up a point in the tournament so far against two very tough teams.
In game one, Italy scored early and were able to use their defensive smarts to frustrate the Young Socceroos, particularly in the second half.
Against Argentina, a 4-1 scoreline was perhaps an unfair reflection on Australia’s performance. The Young Socceroos kept themselves in the game with a fighting chance – particularly when Daniel Bennie halved the deficit in the second half – but two late goals from the six-time champions sealed the result.
Cuba, meanwhile, have the unusual statistic of drawing a red card out of their opponents on both occasions so far.
In the first game, playing against 10 men for 80 minutes didn’t make it any easier to get past Argentina, who defeated them 3-1.
Italy were not so lucky. They were leading 2-0 when Jamal Iddrissou was sent off just before half-time. A brace of penalties for Michael Camejo in the second-half meant that Cuba secured their first point of the tournament.
The opposition
Cuba are participating in only their second FIFA U-20 World Cup™, having previously qualified in 2013. The point that they picked up against Italy is their first point at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.
They are led by coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. He was only named Head Coach in August but has been involved in the program as an assistant since 2023.
Several players in their team have senior appearances as Cuba hopes this new generation will help them qualify for their first senior World Cup since 1938.
Captain Karel Perez already has 12 senior caps. He scored Cuba’s goal against Argentina and broke down in tears after securing the point against Italy, signifying just what it means for football in the country.
Michael Camejo will be another player to watch after his two penalties secured that result against Italy.
What they said
Trevor Morgan
We'll assess things, after we have an indication of how all the players are. But it’s very simple, you can expect us to bounce back and compete and go for a win.
James Overy
You work to play in playing things like the World Cup, let alone against a team like Argentina. So it was a surreal moment for me to play in that. It was a top standard, top level. I think I did all right, but it's definitely hard in a game like that against a team like that.
To be honest, we need to get the three points. We can't not get the three points. I think I've only watched Cuba 45 minutes just before this game then, but they look like a solid side, so we definitely give respect to them, but we back the boys against anyone. So I think we can definitely go out there and get the three points. We’re all buzzing for it.
Match Details
Australia v Cuba
Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025 / Sunday, 5 October 2025 (AUS)
Time: 8.00pm (local) / 10.00am (AEDT)
Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, Chile
Broadcast: Live on SBS and SBS On Demand