Leckie’s Group D faith: Socceroos can go further

Mathew Leckie, a four-time World Cup attendee heading to his fourth tournament, insists the Socceroos can build on their shocking Qatar campaign even as they’re tipped to finish bottom again. With Australia drawn in Group D and set for matches against Turkey,

The moment Mathew Leckie talks about belief, you can hear it in the way he frames the years he’s already lived through in World Cups.

He’s heading to his fourth World Cup. adding his name to the same shortlist that includes Tim Cahill. Mark Milligan and Maty Ryan as the Socceroos’ only four-time attendees. Leckie still remembers the feeling of scoring the winner over Denmark that sent Australia to the round of 16 in Qatar—an achievement that shocked football experts at the time.

Now, with Australia again cast as underdogs, he wants one more jump—this time not just to replicate Qatar, but to surpass it.

“The belief’s always been there, I think it’s a big driver in what we do,” Leckie said. “Away from the change room and everyone here, a lot of people expect us to finish bottom of our group, and it was the case in Qatar.”

Australia’s path through Group D begins with Turkey in Vancouver on June 14. Six days later, they play the United States in Seattle, before finishing group play against Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 26 (all dates AEST).

Leckie understands exactly what that bracket means. “But we’re very aware that if you put two sheets of paper in front of the teams, on paper the other teams are probably stronger,” he said.

The difference, in his view, is the way the Socceroos operate together.

“But I think us as a collective is the reason why we always can compete, and were able to do what we did in Qatar,” he said. “And we don’t see why it should be any different here, and we also think we can do the same, if not better this time around.”

The veteran’s confidence is also being built alongside a crop of younger players who impressed senior teammates in camp—especially Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato.

On the field, the Monday training session was defined by an attacking drill that pulled in Irankunda, uncapped striker Tete Yengi and Volpato. Dynamo Irankunda reminded everyone of his quality with lethal shooting and forward bursts, while Yengi and Volpato were also involved.

It was not all smooth sailing at first. The 20-year-old Irankunda had a scare when he slipped, favoured his left foot and then sat on the sidelines for a short time. He later returned to the fray and picked up where he left off.

Volpato’s own return carried a different kind of spotlight. The Sassuolo winger joined training for the first time since his defection from Italy and showed flashes of class on the ball. Leckie described what he saw without overcomplicating it.

“Obviously just today, but he looked really good, sharp, tidy,” Leckie said. “So he’s another left footer addition, which is always nice. So, yeah, it’ll be interesting to see.”

For Australia, there’s also a clear contrast in the way the group is being stitched together. Leckie is not just watching from the sideline—he’s back in the environment after a difficult period.

He played his first international since June 2024, following a horror injury run. His return came in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Mexico.

Getting back into the rhythm of the team has also meant learning new faces and watching how existing ones have progressed. Leckie said he’s enjoyed getting to know young teammates who either emerged or established themselves during his absence. including Irankunda. Mohamed Toure and Lucas Herrington.

And while he’s focused on the future, he’s not dismissing the past. Being in the same position as players like Tim Cahill, Mark Milligan and Maty Ryan is something he clearly can’t treat like ordinary football.

“It’s quite unbelievable to be in the same position as players like them,” Leckie said. “So it’s something that I probably can look back on in the future and be super proud of, but there’s still a long way to go.”

That “long way” begins immediately. Players that started against Mexico were involved early in camp, then sat out the second half ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Switzerland in San Diego.

Leckie’s message to the younger group is simple: don’t carry the weight of expectations into the tournament before it even arrives.

“They’re obviously super-talented players, they’re doing well, even overseas,” Leckie said. “I feel sometimes when you’re young. you just go into a tournament like this. there’s not very little thought. and it’s just you go out and do your thing. And that can be the key, I guess, not overthink things, and just go out there.”.

What matters most, he says, is staying aligned with why they are there in the first place.

“What’s important is they’re here for a reason,” Leckie said. “They’re good enough, that’s why they’re here, and if they can just go into the tournament and just keep doing what they’ve been doing, I’m sure they can show the world how good of players [sic] they are.”

If Qatar proved anything, it’s that the Socceroos can rewrite the story when the doubts get loud. Now, with Leckie’s fourth World Cup on the horizon and young attackers driving the energy in training, the question isn’t whether the belief is there.

It’s whether they can turn it into something that goes even further than the moment that once stunned the world.

MISRYOUM Sports News Mathew Leckie Socceroos World Cup 2026 Group D Turkey United States Paraguay Nestory Irankunda Cristian Volpato Tim Cahill Mark Milligan Maty Ryan Mexico friendly Switzerland friendly San Diego Vancouver Seattle Santa Clara