Graham Arnold excited to start next round of World Cup qualifiers on the Gold Coast
For the first time ever, the Subway Socceroos will play on the Gold Coast as they are to host Bahrain on Thursday, 5 September at Robina Stadium.
Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold has said it is exciting for the team to play one of their FIFA World Cup 2026™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers™ on the coast and hopes to inspire young footballers in the region.
“It's a wonderful opportunity not only just for ourselves, but to inspire 15,000 registered kids that play football here in this region to inspire their dreams,” Arnold said.
“I've been involved with the Socceroos for a very, very long time, and it’s the first time ever the Socceroos have played here on the Gold Coast and especially the fact that it's a World Cup qualifier, it's a very, very important game.”
Arnold added that the players will be excited at the opportunity to play on the Gold Coast.
“To be able to come to this type of region is fantastic and I know the boys will love it,” he said.
“It is a fantastic rectangle stadium, the fans will be close to the players, so I know the boys will be excited by this announcement.”
For the players it will be a quick turnaround during this international break as they arrive on Tuesday on the Gold Coast, before playing on Thursday.
Arnold said: “We don't get the boys for that long, pretty much they leave Europe on Sunday, and they'll arrive here Tuesday morning.
“We will set up here straightaway on the Gold Coast and make sure that the boys are ready for that game and then straight after the game be ready for the second game against Indonesia.”
It will be a tough process to qualify for the World Cup through Group C which features Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR and Indonesia.
Arnold knows that too, but he has faith in the squad of players to progress and has set them the target of topping the group.
“I've always had high expectations, my expectations and my goals I've already set to the players is to top the group, that's all we're here for.
“The boys know exactly what I want, I've been with them now six years, pretty much to today and I know exactly what I expect from them, and they know before they come into camp what my expectations are, so no matter who we play it’s about winning.”
The first challenge is of course this match against Bahrain on the Gold Coast on September 5.
Arnold urged the people of the region to get behind the Subway Socceroos as they push for World Cup qualification once again.
He said: “It's important that we get off to a great start so I’m pleading to all the fans to come here, get behind the Socceroos and the boys and we'll put in a great performance and make this a great memory for a lot of people.”
To find out all the latest information on fixtures, results and Third Round Qualification updates please click here.
Ticket information for Gold Coast: Tickets for this match start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family, with a Football Account Pre-Sale at 10.00am AEST on Friday, 5 July 2024 and General Public On-Sale at 2.00pm AEST Monday, 8 July 2024 via Ticketmaster.
$2 (plus GST) from every ticket sold will be donated to the CommBank Pararoos and CommBank ParaMatildas, Australia's CP national teams for male and female footballers with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from a stroke.
Football Account is the official account for football fans in Australia. Football Account provides access to exclusive content, special offers and discounts including access to ticket pre-sales, discounts to Australian National Team matches, and exclusive merchandise offers. Fans can register their account here.
The Subway Socceroos’ AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 will be broadcast live thanks to Football Australia’s broadcast partner, 10 Paramount.
Match Details
Subway Socceroos v Bahrain
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEST
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Football Account Pre-Sale: 10.00am AEST on Friday, 5 July 2024.
General Public On-Sale: 2.00pm AEST Monday, 8 July 2024.
Broadcast: 10 Paramount