Socceroos star Jamie Maclaren reveals he almost missed 2022 FIFA World Cup over family heartbreak
Socceroos star Jamie Maclaren talks about the tragic family heartbreak that almost made him miss the World Cup: ‘Everything fell apart’
- Maclaren’s wife suffered a miscarriage on the eve of the World Cup
- Striker was scheduled to fly to Qatar that day
- Maclaren postponed his trip to be by his wife’s side
Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren has revealed he learned the tragic news that his wife Iva had a miscarriage on the day he was due to fly to the World Cup in Qatar.
The biggest goalscorer in A-League history suffered in silence when he received the heartbreaking news – and instead flew to Melbourne to be with Iva.
“I had outplayed Newcastle Jets,” said Maclaren News Corp.
“I got home before three o’clock. Originally I was supposed to leave from Sydney (to Qatar), but … circumstances change.’
Maclaren gave every remaining moment he had in Australia to be by Iva’s side.
Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren has revealed he discovered the tragic news that his wife Iva had a miscarriage on the day he was due to fly to the World Cup in Qatar.
The biggest goalscorer in A-League history suffered in silence when he received the heartbreaking news – and instead flew to Melbourne to be with Iva.
“The timing was bad,” Iva said. “You can’t plan things like that.
“It makes you stronger or weaker, I think, but everything happens for a reason and we’ve really learned that over the last ten years. But yeah. Everything fell apart a bit.’
Iva watched from home as the Socceroos enjoyed a historic World Cup that saw them achieve their best-ever result at the tournament.
Despite Australia arriving in Qatar as outsiders in Group D, Australia reached the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006 before losing 2–1 to eventual champions Argentina.
“I wanted to go to the World Cup, but the timing was not right,” she says.
Maclaren’s parents, Don and Julie, made the trip to Qatar and made sure he got the emotional support he needed.
Don Maclaren played football in Scotland for the Hearts of Midlothian youth team before emigrating to Australia and having a successful career in the old NSL.
Iva watched from home as the Socceroos enjoyed a historic World Cup that saw them achieve their best-ever finish at the tournament
Iva and Jamie have revealed that they are expecting again and preparing for the birth of a baby girl in September.
“Like any father, you hope that eventually your children will love the sport you enjoy,” he said
‘I was a professional football player, my younger brother was a professional football player. Basically everything I did had to do with football, so obviously they had the bug, it’s in our DNA.
“During Jamie’s trip we were lucky enough to have the financial means to travel abroad and watch him play.
In Qatar, this support was more important than ever last year.
“We need to see the team and Jamie quite regularly,” Don said.
‘It was a tough time. We just handled it the best we could. It was difficult.’
Iva and Jamie have revealed that they are expecting again and preparing for the birth of a baby girl in September.
Maclaren is sure she will inherit the family’s love of football.
“There’s going to be a Matilda in the family,” he says.