Australia's fixture against Nepal on Thursday October 10 will mark the first match the Socceroos have played in the nation’s capital since a 3-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic in November 2015.

Tickets to the game will go on sale from 1pm on August 13.

The match is part of an agreed series of elite matches involving the Socceroos, Matildas, and Young Matildas to be played in Canberra over the next 18 months as part of the ACT Government’s joint-investment with Capital Football to build a new ‘Home of Football’ in Canberra.

Chief Executive David Gallop said the FFA was pleased to move swiftly to schedule a key match for the Socceroos in Canberra.

“Football is the largest team sport in Canberra with nearly 40,000 registered outdoor participants, so it is great that the football community of the ACT, and sports fans generally, will be able to watch the Socceroos live at GIO Stadium this October,” Gallop said.

“Recently the ACT Government made a significant commitment to football by guaranteeing their support for the development of a new and modern ‘Home of Football’ in Canberra, which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2021.

“The selection of Canberra for this important Socceroos fixture is, in part, down to the ACT Government’s fantastic pledge for the game, and we’re sure a large and vocal crowd of Australian supporters will get behind the team in what will be their first game on Australian soil in almost a year."

Coach Graham Arnold – currently in Europe monitoring players – welcomed the news.

“Canberra’s sporting community can take great pride in the fantastic Socceroos that the region has helped to develop over the years,” Arnold said.

“Players like Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri and Tom Rogic are representative of the elite talent that has emerged from the area, and who continue to fly the flag for football in the nation’s capital.

“As a team we will arrive in Canberra focused and determined to produce a great Socceroos performance – one that we expect will not only help us on our journey to Qatar, but leave a positive and long-lasting impression for everyone that comes to watch us play Nepal.”