Less than one month to go before the Socceroos World Cup farewell match

The countdown to the 2014 FIFA World Cup has well and truly begun, with less than one month to go before the Socceroos take on South Africa in their final warm-up match on home soil.

The Socceroos' farewell match, announced by the NSW Government in March, is being played on May 26 at ANZ Stadium.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said the game will allow football fans from across NSW and Australia to come to Sydney to farewell the Socceroos before they head to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“Sydney is Australia’s global tourism and events city and the perfect host for the Socceroos’ World Cup send-off,” Mr Stoner said.

“In less than a month fans will be able to come to ANZ Stadium to not only watch a great game of football, but to cheer on our heroes before they jet off to the world’s greatest football competition.

“This is yet another major events win for NSW and adds to the long list of events the NSW Government has secured since coming to office,” he said.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Stuart Ayres said Australians should come out to cheer on the Aussie green and gold.

“Australia and NSW is very proud of the fact that the Socceroos qualified for their fourth World Cup last year in front of 82,000 ecstatic fans who filled ANZ Stadium in June,” Mr Ayres said.

“We’re hoping for a similar turn out when they return to take on South Africa’s World Cup squad here on 26 May.

“I look forward to the excitement of seeing the Socceroos in their green and gold and having the opportunity to wish them luck in Brazil.

“I encourage people to come to ANZ Stadium and give the Socceroos a proper sending-off before they head to South America,” Mr Ayres said.

The NSW Government has worked hard to ensure NSW has hosted the majority of the Socceroos matches, including securing the last vital qualifying match against Iraq, the farewell friendly against South Africa and a week’s training camp on the Central Coast.

The Socceroos final World Cup squad will be announced in Sydney on 14 May. The squad will then enter training camp in Gosford, until the farewell dinner in Sydney on 22 May.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop has commended the NSW Government and Destination NSW for their support of the Socceroos.

“The World Cup is a global party to celebrate football and Sydney will be the launching pad for the Socceroos campaign,” said Gallop.

“I know that coach Ange Postecoglou and the players want the public right behind them. The farewell match in Sydney and the training camp in Gosford will give the team the ideal preparation for the big task ahead.”

Tickets are on sale for the match. For all ticketing details, please visit footballaustralia.com.au/tickets