Well at least our draw isn’t as bad as 2014. We may have a sneaky chance to get out of the group but I’m pretty sure we’re going to come last.
The best case scenario for the Socceroos is probably beating Peru and having a draw with France and Denmark? Although having just scrapped through to Russia 2018 in the qualifying process, unfortunately I wouldn’t be overly surprised if this might be the last time we’ll see the Socceroos play in a World Cup for a while but that’s another story.
At least on the TV coverage side of things, SBS will do well by having Australia’s first game of the tournament at 8pm AEST and the match with Denmark at 10pm AEST (8pm in the West).
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We probably progress if we can get 4 points at least (like 2006) unless we get smashed in one of our games. Even if we do get through, we will likely face Messi’s Argentina in the Round of 16 which is a scary prospect.
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From 2022, the World Cup will be expanding to 48 teams so if anything it should be easier for us to qualify.
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So if SBS are taking 15 games from the first round, would these 11 games (excluding the opening fixture (Russia vs Saudi Arabia) or any of the Socceroos games,which are indicated in brackets) be the ones for Live telecast?
[15/6: Russia vs Saudi Arabia]
16/6: Portugal vs Spain
[17/6: France vs Australia]
18/6: Brazil vs Switzerland
19/6: Tunisia vs England
20/6: Poland vs Senegal
[21/6: Denmark vs Australia]
22/6: Brazil vs Costa Rica
23/6: Belgium vs Tunisia
24/6: Germany vs Sweden
25/6: Poland vs Colombia
26/6: Uruguay vs Russia
[27/6: Australia vs Peru]
28/6: Serbia vs Brazil
29/6: England vs Belgium
Depends whether they prioritise the quality of the match over the time. Is an argument to go for the live game at 10pm AEST regardless of who it is - not sure if their rights for other games permits only highlights or delayed coverage, but if delayed showing a big clash which would take place live at 4am in full the following day might rate better for them.
Optus announced this morning it would allow non-customers to watch all 64 matches of this year’s World Cup for $15 per month.
Optus has also revealed the first 24 World Cup matches that it will broadcast live exclusively, with more matches to be confirmed later. Here are the 24 matches:
| Match Date | Team 1 | Team 2 | Local Time | Sydney Time | Sydney TX Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15th JUNE | EGYPT | URUGUAY | 17:00 | 15th JUNE | 22:00 AEST |
| 15th JUNE | IRAN | MOROCCO | 18:00 | 16th JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 16th JUNE | ARGENTINA | ICELAND | 16:00 | 16th JUNE | 23:00 AEST |
| 16th JUNE | PERU | DENMARK | 19:00 | 17th JUNE | 02:00 AEST |
| 16th JUNE | CROATIA | NIGERIA | 21:00 | 17th JUNE | 05:00 AEST |
| 17th JUNE | COSTA RICA | SERBIA | 16:00 | 17th JUNE | 22:00 EAST |
| 17th JUNE | BRAZIL | SWITZERLAND | 21:00 | 18th JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 18th JUNE | SWEDEN | KOREA REPUBLIC | 15:00 | 18th JUNE | 22:00 AEST |
| 18th JUNE | BELGIUM | PANAMA | 18:00 | 19th JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 19th JUNE | POLAND | SENEGAL | 18:00 | 20th JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 19th JUNE | RUSSIA | EGYPT | 21:00 | 20th JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 20th JUNE | URUGUAY | SAUDI ARABIA | 18:00 | 21st JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 20th JUNE | IRAN | SPAIN | 21:00 | 21st JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 21st JUNE | FRANCE | PERU | 20:00 | 22nd JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 21st JUNE | ARGENTINA | CROATIA | 21:00 | 22nd JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 22nd JUNE | NIGERIA | ICELAND | 18:00 | 23rd JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 22nd JUNE | SERBIA | SWITZERLAND | 20:00 | 23rd JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 23rd JUNE | BELGIUM | TUNISIA | 15:00 | 23rd JUNE | 22:00 AEST |
| 23rd JUNE | KOREA REPUBLIC | MEXICO | 18:00 | 24th JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 24th JUNE | JAPAN | SENEGAL | 20:00 | 25th JUNE | 01:00 AEST |
| 24th JUNE | POLAND | COLOMBIA | 21:00 | 25th JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 26th JUNE | DENMARK | FRANCE | 17:00 | 27th JUNE | 00:00 AEST |
| 26th JUNE | NIGERIA | ARGENTINA | 21:00 | 27th JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
| 26th JUNE | ICELAND | CROATIA | 21:00 | 27th JUNE | 04:00 AEST |
I wonder if they’ll broadcast in 4k? FIFA are offering broadcasters 4k feeds of all games.
Probably not.
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INTRODUCING OPTUS SPORT’S 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP ON-AIR HOSTING TEAM
Optus has revealed its line-up of expert football analysts and hosts who will lead its comprehensive coverage of next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup™.
The Optus Sport team will be made up of hosts Richard Bayliss, Mel McLaughlin and Jules Breach, who will be joined by Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer and renowned Premier League striker Michael Bridges.
Optus Sport’s core team will be joined by over a dozen high profile guests, to be announced in coming weeks.
Optus is presenting the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ in partnership with SBS, with Optus Sport being the only place to watch all 64 games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ live and on demand.
In addition to watching the live matches, Optus Sport subscribers will be able to enjoy five hours of original live programming every matchday with pre-game shows, post-match coverage and daily highlights produced by the Optus Sport production team.
Managing Director of Marketing and Product at Optus, Ben White said, “The 2018 FIFA World Cup™ is one of the largest sporting events in the world and we’re delighted to be working with our analyst team to deliver the most comprehensive coverage of a World Cup ever seen in Australia, with state-of-the-art coverage, content and insights into each and every match played.
"Optus will have three on-air teams based in Russia and will produce a prime time show leading into each match day, along with full match coverage and two morning shows to wrap up each matchday and concluding with Red Square: Live.
“This is a significant step for Optus as we continue to become a mobile-led multimedia company and a broadcaster, and we’re thrilled to welcome this team together for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and are really excited about the diverse range of experiences and specialities they each bring to the role,” said Mr White.
FIFA World Cup™ app
Australians will also be able to stay on the ball anytime and on the go with the official FIFA World Cup™ app – the ultimate Russia 2018™ companion. Optus Sport subscribers will be able to watch all 64 matches of the 2018 tournament live via the app, which will be available early June. SBS’s match of the day will be free for all users.
The official app will also feature exclusive enhanced viewing functionality and multi-angle replays, and immersive stats at your fingertips while the new FIFA World Cup™ VR app will allow fans to enjoy the game from every angle with live 180° and 210° super wide shots, and 360° video on demand.
Optus Sport’s 2018 FIFA World Cup™ on-air team
Richard Bayliss: With a career spanning almost a decade, Richard has established himself as one of Australia’s most respected sports journalists and presenters. Richard joined Optus Sport as Executive Producer and Presenter in 2016 – having established himself in front of and behind the camera during a seven-year stint with Fox Sports. Currently, Richard hosts weekly football show Countdown to Kick Off alongside former Premier League stars Mark Schwarzer and Michael Bridges.
Mark Schwarzer: With a successful football career spanning over 25 years, Mark Schwarzer is a football icon - becoming the most capped International player in Premier League history and appearing in green and gold on 109 occasions. Since retiring from professional Football in 2016, Mark has established himself as
one of Australia’s top football commentators. Mark works with Optus Sport as a pundit and sideline commentator, providing expert opinion, whilst conducting interviews with the biggest names in the game.Michael Bridges: For over 20 years, Michael’s successful football career saw him play for several elite clubs in the Premier League and Australian A-League, whilst also representing his country. Since retiring from football in 2014, Michael has established himself as one of Australia’s top football commentators,
working with several networks including Optus Sport, and is known as one of the great storytellers in the game.Jules Breach: Jules Breach has established herself as one of the most exciting football presenters in the UK over the past seven years. Jules hosts a number of shows on Optus Sport’s Premier League coverage such as Fantasy Premier League and Fanzone, whilst also fronting BT Sport’s live football coverage each Saturday afternoon, in addition to hosting for ESPN and UEFA.
Mel McLaughlin: Despite hosting a wide variety of the biggest sporting events seen on Australian television, Mel McLaughlin may always be known as a football tragic. In addition to her work for Channel 7 on the 2016 Olympic Games, Australian Open Tennis and Commonwealth Games, Mel boasts experience in hosting English Premier League, A-League and Socceroos matches, and has covered multiple FIFA World Cups.
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Yesterday Twitter Australia revealed it had signed a deal with SBS to produce a Twitter exclusive daily live show WorldGameLIVE during the World Cup. Twitter will also have video highlights from each day of the tournament, including matches broadcast exclusively live on Optus Sport.
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia SBS schedule
The FIFA World Cup™ is the pinnacle of football, and in our 32nd year broadcasting the tournament Australians can again turn to SBS’s trusted coverage and analysis on TV, radio, and digital this June & July.
As the official broadcaster of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, SBS will present the match of the day, every day throughout the tournament along with highlights from every match live, free and in HD for all Australians on television and online via the official FIFA World Cup™ app, The World Game online, and SBS On Demand.
In total, SBS’s television coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ will feature 25 premium matches, including all Socceroos games, all Semi-Finals, the Final, and matches featuring at least 19 of the 32 competing nations.
SBS Radio will broadcast all 64 matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, live and free via the official FIFA World Cup™ and SBS Radio apps. Matches will be broadcast in up to three languages simultaneously; English and in languages of competing teams. SBS Radio will also produce a special FIFA World Cup™ edition of The World Game podcast daily from Russia.
In 2018, SBS has again secured global exclusive commentary from the iconic ‘voice of football’ Martin Tyler, while SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster and The World Game’s Lucy Zelic will host every SBS match and highlights program live from our studio in Red Square, Moscow.
SBS TV Broadcast Schedule
SBS will present the match of the day, every day of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ live, free and in HD for all Australians along with highlights and analysis of all 64 matches on television and online.
The SBS match of the day will be replayed each morning at 6.30am, free and in HD on SBS, and FIFA classic matches will air on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the month.
SBS Match Timetable
| Date | Match | Kick Off |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 14 June from 10.30pm* | Russia v Saudi Arabia - LIVE | kick-off 1am |
| Saturday 16 June from 3.30am* | Portugal v Spain - LIVE | kick-off 4am |
| Saturday 16 June from 7pm* | France v Australia - LIVE | kick-off 8pm |
| Monday 18 June from 12am* | Germany v Mexico - LIVE | kick-off 1am |
| Tuesday 19 June from 3.30am* | Tunisia v England - LIVE | kick-off 4am |
| Tuesday 19 June from 9.30pm* | Colombia v Japan - LIVE | kick-off 10pm |
| Wednesday 20 June from 9.30pm* | Portugal v Morocco - LIVE | kick-off 10pm |
| Thursday 21 June from 9pm | Denmark v Australia - LIVE | kick-off 10pm |
| Friday 22 June from 9.30pm* | Brazil v Costa Rica - LIVE | kick-off 10pm |
| Sunday 24 June from 3.30am* | Germany v Sweden - LIVE | kick-off 4am |
| Sunday 24 June from 9.30pm* | England v Panama - LIVE | kick-off 10pm |
| Monday 25 June | TBC | |
| Tuesday 26 June from 11pm* | Australia v Peru - LIVE | kick-off 12am |
| Wednesday 27 June | TBC | |
| Thursday 28 June | TBC |
SBS’s coverage of the Round of 16 and Quarter Finals will be announced throughout the tournament.
| Date | Match | Kick Off |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 11 July from 3.30am* | 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Semi-Final 1 - LIVE | kick-off 4am |
| Thursday 12 July from 3.30am* | 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Semi-Final 2 - LIVE | kick-off 4am |
| Saturday 14 July from 11pm* | 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Playoff for 3rd - LIVE | kick-off 12am |
| Sunday 15 July from 11pm* | 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Final - LIVE | kick-off 1am |
*All times are AEST and are subject to change
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The World Game website
The World Game website will LIVE STREAM all 25 SBS matches, alongside the latest video highlights, latest scores, breaking news and analysis from all 64 World Cup games.
Australians will be able to stay on the ball anytime, anywhere with the the official FIFA World Cup™ app – the ultimate Russia 2018 companion.
All 64 matches of the 2018 tournament will be available to live stream via the app, which will be available from June 4, with SBS’s match of the day free for all users and the remaining 39 matches available within the World Cup app to Optus Sport subscribers.
The official app will also feature enhanced viewing functionality, multi-angle replays and immersive stats at your fingertips while the new FIFA World Cup™ VR app will allow fans to enjoy the game from every angle with live 180° and 210° super wide shots, and 360° video on demand.
SBS is presenting the 2018 FIFA World Cup in partnership with Optus Sport.
SBS Radio
SBS Radio will broadcast all 64 matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, live and free via the official FIFA World Cup and SBS Radio apps.
Matches will be broadcast in up to three languages simultaneously - English and in languages of competing teams.
SBS Radio’s English coverage will feature expert analysis by former Matildas striker Kate Gill, former Socceroo goalkeeper Clint Bolton and current Melbourne City FC defender Scott Jamieson.
Throughout the tournament, SBS Radio will broadcast in at least 13 languages, including Arabic, Korean, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, more than any other World Cup broadcaster.
SBS Radio’s multilingual coverage is produced in partnership with the best sports media from around the world.
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SBS has revealed the broadcast partners for its World Cup coverage.
The Australian Financial Review reports Tabcorp has signed a deal with SBS and Optus to broadcast all 64 World Cup matches in pubs and clubs and its TAB and UBET venues.
Going to a stand-alone TAB to watch the soccer would be enticing. Although, will any be open late evening and early morning.
I reckon the World Cup broadcast on Sky Racing at TAB and pubs will mostly be replays.