What's happened
Australia's Socceroos qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia on June 11, 2025. Goals from Mitch Duke and Connor Metcalfe ensured Australia finished second in their group, marking their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Palestine's hopes were dashed by Oman in a dramatic draw.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Resilience of the Socceroos: Australia demonstrated significant character by coming back from an early deficit against Saudi Arabia, showcasing their determination to qualify directly for the World Cup.
- Coaching Impact: Tony Popovic's leadership has been pivotal since taking over from Graham Arnold, who left the team in a precarious position. Popovic's unbeaten record as head coach reflects a successful turnaround.
- Palestine's Heartbreak: Palestine's near qualification highlights the emotional stakes in international football. Their late equalizer against Oman, which ultimately eliminated them, underscores the unpredictability and drama of the qualifying rounds.
- Future Implications: Australia's qualification not only boosts national pride but also sets the stage for potential success in the World Cup. The team's recent form suggests they could be competitive on the world stage, especially with key players like Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller aiming for their first World Cup appearances.
What the papers say
According to The Scotsman, Australia secured their World Cup spot with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, with coach Tony Popovic expressing delight at the team's resilience. The New Arab highlighted the heartbreak for Palestine, who were eliminated after a late penalty against Oman. SBS noted that Australia's victory marked their sixth consecutive World Cup qualification, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for the team and its supporters.
How we got here
Australia's qualification comes after a challenging campaign, including a crucial win against Japan. The team, under coach Tony Popovic, needed to secure a positive result against Saudi Arabia to avoid playoff rounds, which they achieved with this latest victory.
Go deeper
- What were the key moments in the match against Saudi Arabia?
- How did Palestine's draw affect their World Cup hopes?
- What does this qualification mean for Australia's soccer future?
Common question
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What Does Saudi Arabia Need to Qualify for the World Cup?
Saudi Arabia's national football team faces a daunting challenge in their quest for World Cup qualification. With their final match against Australia looming, fans are eager to understand the stakes involved and what it will take for the team to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this critical match.
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How Did Australia Secure Their World Cup Qualification?
Australia's Socceroos have made headlines by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling victory over Saudi Arabia. This achievement raises questions about the team's journey, key players, and what lies ahead in the tournament. Here are some common questions and answers regarding Australia's World Cup journey.
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How Did Australia Secure Their World Cup Qualification?
Australia's Socceroos have made headlines by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling victory over Saudi Arabia. This achievement not only highlights the team's resilience but also raises questions about the future of soccer in Australia. Below, we explore key moments from the match, the implications of this qualification, and how Australia stacks up against other teams.
More on these topics
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Tony Popovic is an Australian association football manager and former player. He is the current manager of A-League club Melbourne Victory.
As a player Popovic's usual position was centre-back.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Located in a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab E
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Connor Metcalfe is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League club Melbourne City.
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Aziz Eraltay Behich is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a left back and left winger for Turkish club Giresunspor and the Australia national team.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, marketed as FIFA World Cup 26, will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA.