The Socceroos are on the verge of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, needing a victory against the top-ranked team in Asia, Japan, to solidify their qualification. Under the leadership of coach Tony Popovic, the team has made significant strides, currently holding second position in their qualifying group, three points clear of Saudi Arabia and maintaining a robust nine-goal difference advantage.
With two qualifying matches remaining, the competition remains intense. Popovic’s squad will face Japan, ranked 15th in the world, this Thursday and follow up with a match against Saudi Arabia on their home turf the following week. A win against Japan is vital, as it would mathematically guarantee Australia a place in the World Cup draw, provided other results favour them.
History presents a challenge, as the Socceroos have not triumphed over Japan since 2010, recording four losses and two draws in their six encounters since then. However, there is a glimmer of hope, with the last meeting in October 2024 ending in a 1-1 stalemate. Japan’s squad for the upcoming match includes a mix of European-based and J-League players, which could advantage the Socceroos.
Should the team fail to win, a draw could still keep their qualification hopes alive due to their superior goal difference. Conversely, a loss would complicate their path, opening the door for Indonesia, who are also in contention, though they face significant challenges in overcoming a 14-goal gap.
There’s a potential scenario where Australia could qualify as early as this Friday if both Indonesia and Saudi Arabia lose their matches. Achieving direct qualification would mark the first time since 2014 that the Socceroos have secured an automatic spot in the World Cup.
If the Socceroos do not finish in the top two during this qualification round, they remain in the hunt, as they will advance to the fourth round of qualifying set for October. The stakes are high, and the upcoming matches will determine whether Australia can realise their World Cup ambitions.