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The memories flow freely: John Aloisi’s penalty, James Troisi’s Asian Cup winning-goal. There was Mile Jedinak’s hat-trick against Honduras, the wiggling Andrew Redmayne against Peru. Cortnee Vine from the spot, or Sam Kerr’s World Cup semi-final goal.

Unfortunately, this era – of unmissable football blockbusters played in front of packed Australian stadiums that brought a nation together – is now at an end.

Yes, the two-and-a-bit weeks of the 2032 Olympics will be compelling. Everyone loves a competitive Socceroos clash against South Korea, Japan or Iran every couple of years. And sure, even if the run of Matildas sellouts is a thing of the past, the crowds watching Kerr and co are the envy of every other sport.

The pressure is now on, however, for Football Australia (FA) to find a formula that grows – or even just sustains – local interest in the national teams between major tournaments in foreign lands.

“The most important thing for Football Australia is to make sure that we’ve got content at home,” says Heather Garriock, executive director of football and deputy chief executive at FA.

“Our job as an organisation is being able to get top quality teams to Australia, and it’s bloody difficult,” she says. “It costs us a lot of money to get top teams here, but it’s important for us to be able to invest in our brands, and more importantly for our fans.”

The end of the Women’s Asian Cup, so soon after the 2023 Women’s World Cup, means the Matildas have only one foreseeable opportunity to play in a major home tournament in the form of Brisbane 2032. But by then, women’s football at the Olympics might follow a similar path to men’s and apply under-23 age restrictions.

While the Socceroos could conceivably host the Men’s Asian Cup in the 2030s, the World Cup is likely out of reach, especially after Australia withdrew its bid for the 2034 edition allowing Saudi Arabia to host. And the expansion to 48 teams has sapped much of the jeopardy from a qualification path that now gives eight direct slots to Asia as well as an additional playoff berth.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic did well to reverse the team’s fortunes during the latest World Cup qualifying, but despite the early struggles the Socceroos still secured an automatic berth by a comfortable six points. While a new generation led by Nestory Irankunda, Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos present new marketing opportunities, home playoff tension and penalty drama – once core offerings of the Socceroos – will be less common.

Garriock says the team’s dominance in qualification shouldn’t be assumed. “Let’s blame Popa for doing such a great job,” she says, in jest. “Because if we weren’t qualified directly we’d be sitting on the edge of our seat like Arnie.” (Referring to Graham Arnold who guided Iraq to the final World Cup spot in dramatic fashion on Wednesday.)

Socceroos crowds during the final round of World Cup qualifying were strong, including the 57,000 in Perth who saw Aziz Behich’s winner against Japan, and 46,000 in Adelaide for China’s visit. Yet sellouts at Sydney’s Accor Stadium or the MCG that fans had once become accustomed to appear to be in the past.

The modestly attended Socceroos World Cup send-off matches were part of the new concept of the Fifa Series, but early experiences suggest it is a recipe FA cannot rely on. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro expressed a desire after the Asian Cup final loss to Japan to play more elite opposition. Almost immediately, the FA announced a trip to Kenya for two Fifa Series matches against Malawi and either the hosts or India, prompting frustration.

Garriock says before the Women’s World Cup in Brazil in June next year, FA’s “aim” for the Matildas is “to play the Top 10 quality nations across the globe and particularly games in Australia”, and she is aware of the comments from Montemurro and fans. “We are going to bring Australian fans some of the best quality over the next six to 12 months, I can assure you of that,” she says.

Her confidence, at least when it comes to the Matildas, may be justified. The appeal of Kerr’s team has helped sell hundreds of thousands of tickets since the 2023 World Cup, while tourism-chasing state governments are eager to host them and are prepared to pay. International sides see the Matildas as ideal opposition. “We’re difficult to play against, we’ve got one of the best players in the world, we’ve got some of the best players in the world,” Garriock says. “So it’s easier.”

The Socceroos may have now consolidated their place as a top 30-ranked nation but don’t offer the same allure, especially given the travel required to play them. A visit to Australia is seen by some international officials as less of a footballing test and more a commercial opportunity. “It doesn’t matter what team they are or where they’re from, we’re talking about match fees that are significant,” Garriock says.

The Socceroos played Argentina in China in 2023, but prior to that match Football Australia was briefly in negotiations over bringing Lionel Messi’s team here, as they did in 2007. The price of a two-match series was quoted in eight figures, and even with strong crowds, a tourism bump and broadcast interest the sums didn’t work, highlighting the challenging in finding the right opposition.

“It’s not just about what you want, it’s about what you can get, and who’s available,” Popovic said earlier this week. “I wish it was that simple to say, ‘We want this opponent,’ and we just play them.”

Recent changes at FA have seen the departure of staff who had spent years developing overseas relationships important for securing compelling opposition in Australia. Now it is up to Garriock and new chief executive Martin Kugeler to prove they can develop a new formula for local football fans.