The Socceroos should as soon as once more face Asia’s top-ranked facet Japan on the highway to reaching a sixth successive FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Australia may even tackle Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Indonesia after being drawn in Group C for the following part of qualifying.
The draw was made on the Asian Soccer Confederation headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, with Australia set to host their first match in opposition to Bahrain on September 5.
Defeating rivals Japan will likely be no straightforward feat for Graham Arnold’s males, who should end within the high two of their six-team pool to mechanically qualify for the 2026 finals.
The groups who end third and fourth following the house and away fixtures from September to June subsequent 12 months will likely be thrust into one other group stage.
Japan condemned the Socceroos to that destiny for the 2022 match after scoring late to safe a 2-0 win of their earlier assembly.
The final time Australia tasted victory in opposition to the four-time Asian champions was in 2009.
Arnold stays bullish a couple of top-two end, backing the standard of his present squad.
“Our sole focus is to qualify instantly by this time subsequent 12 months,” Arnold stated.
“We knew this spherical of qualifying would current challenges nonetheless the draw panned out.
“I really feel it’s essential we embrace these challenges. With our mindset, perception and camaraderie integral to realize our purpose of qualification.
“I can’t converse extremely sufficient of this taking part in group and their dedication throughout the marketing campaign up to now, and I’ve obtained little doubt they may carry extra of the identical.”
Saudi Arabia have additionally obtained the higher of the Socceroos in current match-ups, clinching a 1-0 victory in 2022’s third Asian qualifying spherical.
Australia cruised by way of this second qualifying spherical with six wins from as many matches, beating Palestine 5-0 in Perth earlier this month to wrap up the part.
The 2026 match will likely be co-hosted by Canada, the USA and Mexico and expands from 32 groups to 48 for the primary time.
Third Asian spherical draw for 2026 World Cup
Group A – IR Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Kygryz Republic, DPR Korea
Group B – Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait
Group C – Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia.
© AAP
