The path to Australia Cup glory is set after the Round of 32 draw was conducted on Monday night.
Ten Isuzu UTE A-League clubs discovered their first opponents as they begin their quest to secure the first piece of silverware, currently held by Isuzu UTE A-League Premiers, Newcastle Jets.
Mark Milligan’s Jets side will have a target on their back as the holders of the cup and they will travel to NPL Victoria side Preston Lions FC and Genis Steel Stadium.
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Three-time Australia Cup winners Adelaide United face a tasty trip away to NPL Victoria powerhouse South Melbourne FC, whilst two-time winners Sydney FC will be heading to Western Australia after they were drawn against Bayswater City SC.
New Western Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay’s first game in charge of the Wanderers will be in Canberra as he takes his team to the nation’s capital to face Tigers FC.
One side ready to welcome a big side to town are Tasmania’s Kingborough Lions United FC, who will face Melbourne Victory whilst two-time winners Macarthur Bulls will also be hopping on a plane as they head to Darwin to face Azzurri United FC.
2025 Australia Cup winners Newcastle Jets
2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Champions Melbourne City will be heading to Northern NSW to take on Weston Bears SC.
No stranger to an away day trip, Perth Glory will be heading across the country and to Queensland to face Lions FC whilst Central Coast Mariners will be heading down the freeway to Edensor Park where they’ll face Sydney United 58 FC.
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And finally, another side heading to Sydney will be Michael Valkanis’ Brisbane Roar side as they were drawn against Sydney Olympic in what promises to be a enthralling clash.
Isuzu UTE A-League sides Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC are no longer eligible to compete in the Australia Cup.
All 16 ties will take place during a three week window between July 14 and July 29, with venues and kick off times to be confirmed in due course.
2026 Australia Cup Round of 32 Draw
- Tigers FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
- Kingborough Lions United FC v Melbourne Victory
- Azzurri United FC v Macarthur FC
- APIA Leichhardt FC v Peninsula Power FC
- South Melbourne FC v Adelaide United
- Marlin Coast Rangers FC v Brunswick Juventus FC
- Rochedale Rovers FC v SD Raiders FC
- Weston Bears FC v Melbourne City
- Bayswater City SC v Sydney FC
- Maitland FC v Fremantle City FC
- Lions FC v Perth Glory
- Cumberland United FC v Heidelberg United FC
- Sydney United 58 FC v Central Coast Mariners
- FK Beograd v North Sunshine Eagles FC
- Preston Lions FC v Newcastle Jets
- Sydney Olympic FC v Brisbane Roar
