Socceroos World Cup qualifying matches will return to free-to-air television in 2013 when the current broadcast contract ends, federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says.

Senator Conroy says the Government will place Socceroos' matches on the anti-siphoning list - which ensures major sporting events appear on free-to-air television - when the Foxtel contract with the Football Federation of Australia ends in 2013.

Senator Conroy said while Foxtel had done an excellent job in broadcasting soccer, including the A-League, the Socceroos should be treated like other major national teams.

"We believe that the Socceroos are a national icon in the same way as the Wallabies, the Test cricket, the Kangaroos and a whole range of other sports," Senator Conroy told reporters.

"We have said that we'll be putting the ... Socceroos World Cup qualifying matches back on the anti-siphoning list.

"There's an existing contract at the moment that there will some significant financial penalty for the football federation if we intervene.

"But we have an absolutely clear cut commitment before the election to restore the Socceroos."

Last night's World Cup qualifier between the Socceroos and Qatar, which Australia won 4-0, was shown only on Foxtel.

-AAP