Podcasts · Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

Socceroos Legend Mark Schwarzer on World Cup 2026, Egypt & the Italy Heartbreak That Still Stings

2 Jul 2026 · 55 min

Mark Schwarzer is one of the greatest goalkeepers Australia has ever produced — 109 caps, a Premier League career spanning two decades, and a front-row seat to some of football's most defining moments.

Recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we break down Australia's chances against Egypt, what it actually feels like to face a penalty shootout, and why he believes the current Socceroos squad might be the most exciting group of Australian footballers ever assembled.

We speak about: • How Australia should set up tactically against Mo Salah and Egypt • Why Kylian Mbappé appears to have more time on the ball than anyone else • The psychology of penalty shootouts from a goalkeeper's perspective • The infamous 2006 World Cup loss to Italy and Fabian Grosso's theatrical dive • Growing up in Grose Wold and his path from Marconi FC to European football • Football as the one sport that unites multicultural Australia • The John Travolta story from the Uruguay qualifier dressing room

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