For the first-ever time, Perth Stadium will play host to the Subway Socceroos on 5 June 2025, and Cam Burgess is relishing the prospect of heading home for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Asian Qualifier against Japan.
Burgess, who grew up in Perth, already had the honour of representing Australia in his hometown in June 2024, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 5-0 win against Palestine at HBF Park.
The Ipswich Town centre-back, who has started seven of the last 10 games for his country, is eagerly anticipating another opportunity to don the Green and Gold in his hometown.
Here’s what the 29-year-old had to say when we spoke to him about returning to Perth in 2025.
On his early memories of Western Australia
It was around my birthday, so October time when we moved there [to Western Australia]. It just felt like a holiday for a good while – the weather was brilliant and the sun was shining and not what I was used to back in the UK. I quickly settled into school, met some friends, settled in the area and never looked back – it’s been home since.
On his first recollections of football in Perth
I remember we were at our family friends’ house one day – they had already moved to Perth – and there were kids playing out in the street in a little cul-de-sac. So I went out, spoke to them and we’re still really good friends to this day. And the club they were playing for, I just went up and joined them straight away. It’s been great ever since.
On playing for ECU Joondalup (now Perth RedStar Football Club) as a kid
The school I went to was a football school, and a lot of the boys – they’re still my best friends to date – all played for what was ECU at the time and now obviously RedStar, and, within my area, it was basically the best team of my age group and that’s where all my mates played.
There were some good little rivalries back then between different clubs, but in the area where I grew up, that was the team to play for. So I went there based on that, and then you start to realise the guys, maybe two, three, four, five, years older, went on to do really well and move abroad, to play for different teams and also play in the A-League.
On going to Perth Glory games as a youngster
[Perth] Glory, to be fair, we used to get a chance to go and play there if you won the school tournament. And then when you were a bit older and were able to go to watch the games, we used to get the train to the ground and watch the games with my mates on the weekends. So, I’ve got fond memories of that place.
On how he felt returning to HBF Park in June 2024 as a Socceroo
It was a big honour to have a lot of friends and family. There were some people who probably hadn’t had the chance to see me play live, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been back home, and obviously to come back and play in Perth in a competitive game was a special feeling. The ground has changed a lot since I was going when I was a kid – it’s grown, and it was a great turnout, a great crowd and great night, and a good result to follow.
On how special it was to walk out with his son that night
He’s done that a few times now, so he knows the plan and how it works. But he loves it – being the centre of attention – he had a good time. And it was a proud moment for me to be able to do that with my boy.
On sharing that moment as a family
I obviously had my parents, friends and family there, and managed to get a fair few tickets because I’m one of the only boys from Perth, I think it’s me and Ale [Alessandro Circati], so I managed to get a fair few tickets for people that were special to me and wanted to be at the game. It was lovely to have them there, play in front of them, and, most importantly, win for qualifying.
With my parents still living in Perth, they don’t get a chance to come and see me play live too often. So to have them there with my kids, my fiancé and all my friends and other members of my family all in one place, and to have them there for that game and my first time playing in Perth was special.
On returning to Perth with the Socceroos in June 2025
I can’t wait. Perth showed that they can turn out the numbers. And it was a great occasion for the country and for me and the boys to play in front of everyone. I have really good things to say about the Perth crowd. And hopefully I get the chance to do it again and it will be another special moment.
On the prospect of playing at Perth Stadium
I have a friend who I play with at Ipswich who was at Leeds United at the time – he came across on tour and played at Perth Stadium. I’ve been there once in the crowd. So I’ve seen it from the crowd’s perspective. I’ve heard about it from the playing perspective. And there are a lot of good things to say about it. And hopefully I get the chance to head out there and play myself. I can’t wait.
On securing a large portion of the player ticket allocation for the game in Perth
I hope so. I’ll have to put out a few tickets for the upcoming games back in Aus, and let other guys have their tickets for their hometown. So, hopefully I can call in a few favours by June.
On the best thing about returning to Perth
The weather for a start is always good, even in June, compared to what I’ve been used to playing over in the UK. But, it’s just being back in Aus in general, just the feeling and the sense of pride to be able to represent the country and on home soil is a special feeling. And the build-up towards the game is always a good feeling.
On inspiring the next generation of talent in Western Australia
One day, hopefully there are a few future Socceroos coming through that managed to watch that game in particular last June, or the one next year. They’re big memories that last in kids’ heads, and to do that on a positive note and get a significant result definitely helps that. And it was good to see a lot of juniors out there. There were a lot of lot of kids, a lot of schools attending and hopefully a lot of future Socceroos.
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: TBC
Tickets: Start from $16 Child, $19 Concession, $29 Adult, and $89 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Football Account Pre-Sale: 10:00am AWST / 1:00pm AEDT on Tuesday, 17 December 2024.
General Public On-Sale: 10:00am AWST / 1:00pm AEDT on Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
