The 2026 Australia Cup Round of 16 draw has now been confirmed, with SIX Isuzu UTE A-League clubs still battling it out to lift the cup.
There were two A-Leagues sides in action on Thursday night and it proved to be a mixed evening for both Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar.
Despite taking the lead against South Melbourne in just the fourth minute through Socceroo Craig Goodwin, Adelaide United ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 loss at Lakeside Stadium and bowed out of the cup on a chilly night in Melbourne.
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South Melbourne celebrate winning the Australia Cup round of 32 match between South Melbourne FC and Adelaide United
It was good news for Brisbane Roar though, with Michael Valkanis’ side breezing past Sydney Olympic 3-0 at Belmore thanks to second half goals from Justin Vidic, Sabit Ngor and Jacob Nasso.
The draw for the 2026 Australia Cup Round of 16 was then completed after the full time whistles sounded on Thursday night, with several Isuzu UTE A-League clubs pitted against one another as they bid to win the coveted trophy.
Read on for a full look at the draw for the Round of 16!
A-LEAGUES NEWS:
DEPARTURE: Melbourne Victory confirm exit of key defender following loan spell
MANAGERIAL NEWS: Auckland FC appoint new head coach with European pedigree
ROUND OF 16 DRAW
Dates and venues to be confirmed in due course
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
After comfortably dispatching Olympic Brisbane Roar will now host A-League rivals Sydney FC in Queensland. The Sky Blues booked their spot in the Round of 16 after thrashing Bayswater City 5-1 in Western Australia.
SD Raiders v Macarthur Bulls
For the second time in two years SD Raiders will host Macarthur Bulls in the Australia Cup. The two faced off in the Round of 32 last year, with the Bulls running out 5-0 winners. Raiders defeated Rochedale Rovers 2-1 in this year’s Round of 32 whilst the Bulls breezed past Azzurri FC 3-0 in Darwin.
APIA Leichhardt v Sydney United 58
It’s an all NPL NSW showdown in the Round of 16 as APIA Leichhardt host Sydney United 58. APIA defeated Peninsula Power in the Round of 32 to seal safe passage through to this stage whilst Sydney United defeated Central Coast Mariners in an epic penalty shootout.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
Two new A-Leagues coaches will go head-to-head in the Round of 16, with Ufuk Talay’s Western Sydney Wanderers drawn against Giovanni Savarese’s Melbourne Victory. The Wanderers earned their spot in the Round of 16 thanks to a comfortable win over Tigers FC whilst Victory defeated Kingborough Lions in Tasmania.
Lions FC v Melbourne City
Aurelio Vidmar’s Melbourne City side will travel to Lions FC in Queensland. City cruised past Weston Workers 3-0 in the last round whilst Lions defeated Perth Glory in a thrilling penalty shootout.
North Sunshine Eagles SC v Heidelberg United
2025 runners up Heidelberg United face a trip to NPL VIC 2 side North Sunshine Eagles SC in the Round of 16. The Eagles defeated FK Beograd 3-2 in the last round whilst Heidelberg beat Cumberland United 3-0.
Brunswick Juventus FC v Preston Lions
Brunswick Juventus’ reward for beating Marlin Coast Rangers 4-0 in the Round of 32 is a home tie against NPL Vic side Preston Lions. The visitors caused a famous cupset in the previous round, defeating holders Newcastle Jets 3-2 at home.
South Melbourne FC v Fremantle City FC
South Melbourne’s fine form in recent cup competitions continues as they’ll now welcome Fremantle City to Lakeside Stadium after beating Adelaide United. Fremantle earned their spot in the Round of 16 after beating Maitland 2-1.
