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The Socceroos shocked the world in Qatar, but across Australia, the code can’t afford to stay in their hands a second time.
Lessons must be learned from 2006, when success in Germany thanks to the Golden Generation was taken for granted and not acted upon.
Now is the time to capitalize, when interest in football is at its highest.
And with the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year, the sport has an invaluable opportunity to ensure it stays relevant.
Towering defender Harry Souttar was immense for Australia at the World Cup; now a move to the English Premier League is looming.
Daily Mail Australia has broken down what needs to happen to ensure football thrives for years to come.
MONEY
Between 2021 and 2022, football ($7,903,750) received less funding from the federal government than cycling ($14,496,436), track and field ($10,747,326), hockey ($9,846,636), sailing ($9,581,000), swimming ($9,467,670) and basketball ($8,018,784).
With soccer having the highest participation rate of any sport in Australia, the figure has been disputed by many.
That’s right.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold insists more funding will help improve development pathways for youngsters.
“We need to spend money and get help from the government to put some money in the game to help develop children,” he said.
“One thing I would really love to see before I am completely done with football is the government build us a house.”
“We need a home, a facility like the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport), something that the government can help fund for the development of national teams, but also for the good of Australian rules football.”
KEEP GRAHAM ARNOLD AS SOCCEROOS COACH
It seemed an unlikely prospect after Australia failed to qualify directly for the World Cup, finishing behind Saudi Arabia and Japan.
The Socceroos took the long road to Qatar, playing 20 games before beating the United Arab Emirates and Peru in Doha in June to secure their place in the main event.
Written off as cannon fodder against France, Denmark and Tunisia, Arnold shocked millions after knocking Australia out of the group stage in the Middle East.
Now you can name your price, and you won’t be short of deals elsewhere.
According to Football Australia boss James Johnson, he is keen to secure Arnold for the long term, and given the bond the manager has built with his team, it’s a deal that simply has to happen.
Tactically, Graham Arnold was elite in Qatar: a contract extension as Socceroos boss is a must.
REDUCES GAMBLING FEES
Former decorated Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been outspoken on the subject, even donning his journalist hat in Qatar and asking Johnson some tough questions.
Speaking this week on Optus Sport’s GegenPod podcast, Middlesbrough’s lone goalkeeper reiterated that the cost of playing football in Australia, especially in the youth representative ranks, is absurd.
“I would love to see a situation where there are no fees at all,” he said.
“The FA must also recognize that there is a problem here, we are losing children to other sports due to cost.
“I also think that we as code, the football federation, as supporters of the game, the people as taxpayers, should put pressure on state governments, because they have a lot to answer for.
‘When you look at the funding that goes into other codes, it’s very disproportionate. It is shameful that taxpayer money goes to codes that have far fewer participants.
‘Look what the results in Qatar did for the country. It is the only sport that unites the whole country.’
At just 18, Garang Kuol’s potential is terrifying, but he could easily have been lost to the sport due to absurd fees as a junior.
DISCOVER MORE ROUGH DIAMONDS
Garang Kuol would have been lost to the sport were it not for the generosity of Goulburn Valley Suns FC.
Victoria’s semi-professional club recognized his talents from a very young age, and the winger and his brothers, Alou and Teng, received virtually no fees.
Eventually, the Central Coast Mariners caught the eye in the A-League, and now Garang, 18, is about to link up with Newcastle United in the English Premier League, with Alou, 21, based in Germany with VfB Stuttgart II.
Keanu Baccus came through the junior system at Blacktown City in western Sydney – the right coaches need to nurture similar talent at the right age.
GET MORE PLAYERS IN EUROPE
The A-League should always be seen as a springboard for players before moving abroad, not a permanent destination.
If the Socceroos want to improve, they need players who are involved in the top leagues in Europe week after week, not just in Asia or the Middle East.
Although financially lucrative, the standard is not that strong.
Impressing at a World Cup can open many doors, just ask Harry Souttar, who is expected to leave Stoke City and join an EPL club in January.
The more Australian players there are in England, Germany, Italy and Spain, the better.