Socceroos prove hard to beat as quest to reach 2026 World Cup goes down to the wire | Joey Lynch
Australia’s fate remains in their own hands and will be decided in June’s international window against runaway leaders Japan and Saudi Arabia
Nothing lasts forever, especially in the capricious world of football. And after having results go their way so often during World Cup qualification, it felt inevitable that the whims of the footballing gods would at some point turn away from Australia.
While Tony Popovic’s side did pretty much everything they could over the last week, smashing Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney before dispatching China 2-0 in Hangzhou, Japan did everything but score against Saudi Arabia in Saitama on Tuesday. That result ensures the Socceroos’ hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup will go down to the wire in June.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Jackson Irvine stars as Socceroos clinch key World Cup qualifying win over China
China 0-2 Australia with Nishan Velupillay also on target again Victory in Hangzhou sets up showdown in Saudi Arabia in June Jackson Irvine further established himself as the face of the ...The Guardian - 23h -
Renard expecting no let-up from Japan as Saudis eye World Cup spot
Coach Herve Renard said Saudi Arabia are in a "tough sprint" to reach the 2026 World Cup but he is not expecting any favours from already qualified Japan on Tuesday."It's a tough sprint for the ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Saudis ready for World Cup 'tough fight' after draw in Japan
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said "everything can happen" after a 0-0 draw with already qualified Japan on Tuesday kept his team's hopes of an automatic 2026 World Cup place alive."We qualified ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Political football as Iran reach World Cup while Australia, Saudis stay alive
Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday, handing organisers a likely diplomatic ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Japan first to seal World Cup spot as S. Korea, Australia, Iran get closer
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia and a dominant Iran.Australia remain in ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Injury-hit Socceroos ring changes for crunch World Cup qualifiers
Australia coach Tony Popovic rang the changes Friday for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers, calling up six uncapped players and turning to two others who have not seen international action ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Japan becomes the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after host nations
Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama StadiumABC News - 6d -
Why Italy result in Germany will decide 2026 World Cup group
Italy’s Nations League progress is not the only thing in the balance against Germany, as failure would also decide their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.The second leg kicks off at the Signal Iduna ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 5d
More from The Guardian
-
Newly shared Signal messages show Trump advisers discussed Yemen attack plans
The Atlantic releases more text from chat after Trump officials claimed none of it was ‘classified information’. US politics live – latest updates The Atlantic magazine has published fresh ...The Guardian - 1h -
Danish PM accuses US of ‘unacceptable pressure’ as JD Vance says he will join Greenland visit
US vice-president says he will join unsolicited visit to Arctic island, which Mette Frederiksen says is ‘not what Greenland needs or wants’. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, has ...The Guardian - 18h -
250,000 more people will face relative poverty after Rachel Reeves’ benefits cuts, DWP says – spring statement live
Department for work and pensions says thousands, including children, will be hit by chancellor’s reforms, as OBR forecasts UK growth to halve in 2025. Spring statement 2025: key points at a ...The Guardian - 19m -
EU steps up crisis planning and advises people to stockpile 72 hours of supplies – Europe live
The EU has announced its Preparedness Union Strategy, outlining plans to prevent and respond to new crises and threats. Meanwhile, Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson has confirmed the ...The Guardian - 45m -
Russian strikes show Moscow does not want ‘real peace’, says Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s president said drone attacks just hours after ceasefire talks were ‘a clear signal to the whole world’. See all our Ukraine war coverage Ukraine’s president has accused Russia of ...The Guardian - 52m
More in World
-
250,000 more people will face relative poverty after Rachel Reeves’ benefits cuts, DWP says – spring statement live
Department for work and pensions says thousands, including children, will be hit by chancellor’s reforms, as OBR forecasts UK growth to halve in 2025. Spring statement 2025: key points at a ...The Guardian - 19m -
Middle East crisis live: Netanyahu repeats threat to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas does not release hostages
Israeli PM says he will take ‘more powerful repression’ if Hamas does not release remaining hostages. Full story: Hundreds join Hamas protest in Gaza Here are some of the latest images coming ...The Guardian - 28m -
Timeline of assisted dying bill thrown into doubt
Implementation of legislation in England and Wales could be pushed back to at least 2029Financial Times - 33m -
'Yoh! You're in the OED' – South Africa makes its linguistic mark
Yahoo News - 34m -
EU steps up crisis planning and advises people to stockpile 72 hours of supplies – Europe live
The EU has announced its Preparedness Union Strategy, outlining plans to prevent and respond to new crises and threats. Meanwhile, Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson has confirmed the ...The Guardian - 45m
