Socceroos qualify for sixth-consecutive FIFA World Cup
The Subway Socceroos have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after a 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
LEARN MORE: FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ TICKETING & FAN PACKAGES
It is the sixth consecutive occasion that Australia have qualified for the global finals since the team’s breakthrough qualification moment in 2006. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is the seventh World Cup overall that the Socceroos have qualified for in history.
Australia qualified directly after finishing second in Group C in the Third Qualifying Round. Japan finished top of the group, and were only defeated once – by Australia, in Perth on Thursday. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will proceed to the fourth round of qualifiers.
The Socceroos went into the game knowing that avoiding defeat by five or more goals would be enough to send them through to the World Cup. Nonetheless, the players and Head Coach Tony Popovic made it clear throughout the week that they would play with the mindset of playing to win.
Saudi Arabia took the lead early. However, Connor Metcalfe scored his first Subway Socceroos goal just before half-time to equalise for Australia before Mitchell Duke gave Australia the lead not long after the break.
In his 100th game, Maty Ryan saved a penalty in the 85th minute that protected Australia’s advantage and helped see them to victory.
Head Coach Tony Popovic made three changes from the side that defeated Japan on Thursday evening. Jason Geria replaced Alessandro Circati in defence, Patrick Yazbek came in for Ryan Teague in midfield, and Mitchell Duke earned a start up top at the expense of Brandon Borrello.
Ryan became the third player to reach a century of appearances for the Subway Socceroos when he was named between the sticks.
The home side started with a high level of intensity as they sought to make early inroads into the five goals they needed to score to finish second in Group C. They opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Salem Aldawsari did well to get to the byline, and send a low ball across the face of Australia’s goal. Abdulrahman Alobud was there to tap it home and give Saudi Arabia a glimmer of hope of automatic qualification.
However, it would be Australia to score the next goal. Mitchell Duke held the ball up on the left-hand side and was able to play in Connor Metcalfe, who was arriving into the penalty area. Metcalfe made no mistake, scoring his first international goal in his 26th appearance for the national team, and sending the teams into the sheds level.
The Socceroos took the lead minutes into the second half after Metcalfe was brought down to the left of the penalty area. Mitchell Duke timed his jump best after Martin Boyle’s free kick, and the big man scored a glancing header – his 13th goal in green and gold – to swing momentum well and truly Australia’s way.
Things looked to get even better for Australia when Ali Majrashi was adjudged to have committed a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, and was shown a red card on-field. However, that decision was overturned after recommendation from the Video Assistant Referee.
There was a noticeable drop in intensity as the second half wore on, almost certainly because of the warm conditions in Jeddah. In spite of their fatigue, the home side kept pressing for an equaliser.
They had a golden opportunity when Jason Geria was ruled to have fouled Salem Al Dawsari inside the penalty area. Marwan Al Sahafi lined up to take the spot kick – only to be denied by a strong save from Ryan, low and to his left. It was a fine way for the legendary Socceroos goalkeeper to mark his milestone match.
There would be no late twist. The Socceroos held on for the victory, and qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the best possible way – with three hard-earned points.
