What's on in October?

The return of the CommBank Matildas on home soil & the Socceroos continuing their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign headline what's coming up in October! 

Check out all that's happening and the key dates to be aware of below. 

October 2021 calendar

Socceroos continue Round 3 Qualifiers

Graham Arnold's Socceroos secured an incredible feat as they begun their Round 3 Qualifiers in September, winning a 9th and then 10th game in a row to maintain their perfect record this qualifying campaign so far. 

The Road to Qatar continues in October with the Socceroos facing Oman in Doha on October 7 (5:30am AEDT October 8). 

The Socceroos then travel to Tokyo to face Japan a few days later at Saitama Stadium 2002, as the two nations continue their fierce footballing rivalry. 

Both games are available to watch live & free via Network 10 & 10 play, with the Oman game shown on 10, and Japan fixture on 10 Bold. 

It's been two years since the Socceroos have been able to play in Australia, but Football Australia are in advanced discussions with the NSW Government regarding the Socceroos hosting a designated home AFC Asian Qualifier – Road to Qatar match against Saudi Arabia on 11 November, in Sydney under a Quarantine Management Plan. 

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Final Round)

Matchday 3: Australia v Oman

Date: Thursday, 7 October 2021
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick-off: 9.30pm local (5.30am AEDT – Friday, 8 October 2021)
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on 10 and 10 Play – pre-game coverage from 5am AEDT

Matchday 4: Japan v Australia

Date: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Venue: Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan
Kick-off: 7.14pm local (9.14pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on 10 Bold and 10 Play – pre-game coverage from 8.30pm AEDT

SOC v OMA v JPN

The Commonwealth Bank Matildas are coming home

For the first time since March 2020, right before COVID-19 shut down the world, the CommBank Matildas will be playing on home soil this October!

Two international friendlies against Brazil will take place at the end of October, both to be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. 

These matches have been made possible to be hosted in Australia by the NSW Government’s approval of Football Australia’s comprehensive Quarantine Management Plan based on global best practice. This plan is a first of its kind for any sporting code in Australia and opens the opportunity for other international sports and the broader entertainment industry to consider similar arrangements.  

The games will take place on October 23 and 26, with more details to be released soon. Visit matildas.com.au for all the latest information.

CommBank Matildas v Brazil

Date: Saturday, 23 October
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:45 AEDT
Broadcast: Live on Network 10

CommBank Matildas v Brazil

Date: Tuesday, 26 October
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney 
Kick-off: 20:05 AEDT
Broadcast: Live on Network 10

The Commonwealth Bank Matildas to headline return of major events to NSW in October

Australia U23 Men's to begin AFC Asian Cup qualifiers

For the first time since Tokyo 2020, our Australia U23 Men's National Team will be in action this October as they look to book a place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022™! 

Australia will travel to Tajikistan to face China PR and Indonesia, kicking off against the latter on October 27. 

They will then face China PR a few days later, with the winner of the group qualifying directly for the AFC U23 Asian Cup which is schedules for June 2022. 

The four best runner-ups also advance to the tournament. If hosts Uzbekistan also top their group or is one of the four best runners-ups, then the fifth-best runner-up also qualifies. 

Indonesia U23 v Australia U23

Date: Wednesday, 27 October
Venue: Republic Central Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Kick-off: 17:00 local time, 23:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: TBC

Australia U23 v China U23

Date: Tuesday, 2 November
Venue: Republic Central Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Kick-off: 17:00 local time, 23:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: TBC

Seniors Football Week begins on October 1

October 1 marks the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons, and also the start of Football Australia's Seniors Football Week!

Seniors Football Week will run from October 1 all the way to October 10, ending on World Mental Health Day.

Seniors Football Week will shine a light on our older population in Australia, and encourage them to take part in and enjoy the benefits of football, and more specifically Walking Football. 

While many Australians have been unable to play football for several weeks, Seniors Football Week is also an opportunity to learn more about Walking Football ahead of community sport recommencing around the country.

There are many benefits to Walking Football, not just from a physical perspective, but also from a social and mental health point of view. 

This project received funding from the Australian Government through Sport Australia
 

Read more here: Seniors Football Week 2021

Seniors Football Week 2021 - October 1-10