sport news Socceroos fans and experts aren't satisfied with incredible Qatar FIFA World ... trends now

If Australia is truly going to take the next step and become a global football force, it needs to stop being forced to survive on scraps tossed under the table by the Australian Government.

That is the view of Socceroos past and present, fans and pundits in the wake of the Socceroos' historic FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Just like 2006, Australia punched above its weight and rode its underdogs status to the Round of 16, only for their tournament to be ended by a global heavyweight.

In 2006 it was a controversial loss to eventual champions Italy. On Sunday, Australia were gallant in defeat against an Argentinian side boast the world's best player Lionel Messi.

Fans flocked to city centres in their thousands in unprecedented scenes on Sunday to watch that match.

It showed a genuine love for the sport in Australia, something that has not been present in the domestic A-League competition, which struggles for relevance compared to the NRL and AFL.

 The A-League had to sell a third of its product to an American private equity firm for nearly $140million in 2021, has a broadcast deal worth just A$200million total over five years with ViacomCBS and has crowd numbers dipping below an average of 10,000 per game in 2022.

Now there is a call for the government to step up and recognise the potential of Australian football and fund the next wave of talent so the Socceroos can become a consistent and genuine force at the World Cup. 

'The one thing I would really love to see before I finish up completely of football, is that the government build us a house,' current giant-slaying coach Graham Arnold said.

'Something like the AIS [Australian Institute of Sport].'

Socceroos defender Aziz Behich insisted that the momentum created by his side had to be tapped into in order to grow the game in Australia.

'This should be a massive stepping stone for football in Australia to go forward,' Behich told reporters on Sunday.

'I'm hoping that we've inspired the next generation coming through to know that it's possible to match the best in the world, even being Australian.

'This is the perfect moment for Australian football to step forward and get more recognised back home.'

'We've accomplished something that no other Socceroos team has, we've kept clean sheets, we've scored in every game in a World Cup and … we only lost to France and Argentina,' the 31-year-old added.

'We've done our part and the other part to grow the game, that bit's out of our hands.'

Fans were quick to agree.

'Can't knock this #Socceroos team as they got the most out of themselves. However, as a nation we can't accept 'brave' losses anymore. Our ordinary technical skills cost us progressing further. There needs to be a focus on coaching & developing elite skills at junior level,' one posted.

'Don't want to hear about glorious failure or making the nation proud. If football in this country wants to be truly world class then we need to win. We are back where we were 16 years ago. Celebrating a brave loss. We haven't progressed,' tweeted another.

'It's been said before and previous opportunities have maybe been squandered but the #Socceroos and #matildas have the potential to be Australia's clear favourite national sides. We need investment from government over the next few years though. Don't waste this opportunity,' pleaded another.

Former Socceroos skipper Paul Wade revealed Football Australia would receive a $19million injection from FIFA for our efforts in Qatar.

He has urged the governing body to invest those funds in promising teenage stars and to resist calls to use it to lower player registration fees. 

'We invest money. FIFA are going to give us $19million for getting through to the round of 16,' he said.

'What are we going to do with it?

'Sure, we might take a little bit of the levy off the kids, but at the end of the day we've all got to pay for something, don't we?

'When it comes to youth, around the 16, 17 and 18-year-olds, what can we invest in their development to take them to the next level.

'There are so many things, I don't know where we start. But one thing is for sure, we've got to spend that $19million wisely.'