Socceroos Remain in Strong Position for 2026 World Cup Qualification Despite Saudi Arabia Draw
The Socceroos’ World Cup hopes remain intact following a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park on Thursday night. Although the result leaves Australia tied on six points with Saudi Arabia, coach Tony Popovic is confident his team can still secure an automatic spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With five qualifiers remaining, the Socceroos are well-placed, sitting in second place in their group, behind Japan, who lead with 10 points. Popovic acknowledged the disappointment of the 27,491 fans but emphasized that his side’s performance, particularly in the second half, showed they are on track. “We have put ourselves in a position that we still can get that automatic spot,” he said post-match.
The game itself saw plenty of drama, including a near-miss from Riley McGree, who came close with a bicycle kick in injury time. Saudi Arabia also had a last-gasp goal ruled out for offside, adding to the tension. Despite the missed opportunities, Popovic’s squad remains in contention, with a crucial clash against Bahrain looming.
Star attacker Craig Goodwin will return after suspension, while the team is closely monitoring the injury of Nishan Velupillay, who limped off with an ankle problem.
With Bahrain and China playing overnight, the Socceroos’ path to qualification is still wide open, but the pressure to secure full points in their upcoming fixtures is mounting. If they can build on this performance, they still have every chance of reaching the top two spots and booking a direct World Cup berth.
