Socceroos qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup with a victory over Saudi Arabia, sealing Aussie dreams
The Socceroos will head to a sixth consecutive World Cup after beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final group game.
After their upset 1-0 win over Japan, the Socceroos only needed to avoid defeat by less than five goals in Jeddah to seal automatic World Cup finals qualification for the first time in 12 years.
Saudi forward Abdulrahman Al-Aboud scored in the 19th minute at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium to make things tense.
But striker Mitch Duke teed up Connor Metcalfe to equalise in the 42nd minute, before putting Australia in front in the 48th.
In his 100th appearance, goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan denied Salem Al-Dawsari from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to seal victory.
Exactly a year before the start of next year's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Australia (19 points, +9 goal difference) qualify in the second automatic spot behind Japan (23 points, +27) and ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, -1).
The result underlines the stellar job Tony Popovic, unbeaten as national team manager, has done since taking over from Graham Arnold, who claimed just a point from Australia's first two games.
Herve Renard's charges join fourth-placed Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers.
Defender Alessandro Circati was replaced by Jason Geria, while Duke and Patrick Yazbek started ahead of Brandon Borrello and Ryan Teague.
Martin Boyle dragged a shot wide in the 18th minute and Saudi Arabia immediately took the ball up the other end and scored.
Attacking maestro Al-Dawsari, so often a thorn in Australia's side, lifted the ball to Firas Al-Buraikan then burst forward to get it back.
Al-Dawsari then squared the ball for Al-Aboud to tap home on the goal line.
Musab Al-Juwayr blasted over the bar in the 33rd minute before Australia responded.
Duke took possession on the wing then threaded a squaring ball for Metcalfe, who nailed his first Socceroos goal with aplomb.
Al-Dawsari blasted a long-range shot just wide of the post in first-half injury time.
Australia took the lead when Boyle whipped in a free kick and Duke rose to glance home his first Socceroos goal since January 2024.
Ali Majrashi received a straight red card for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity on Boyle in the 52nd minute but it was overturned following a lengthy VAR review.
Saudi Arabia received a late penalty when Jason Geria was ruled to have brought down Al-Dawsari but Ryan palmed the spot-kick away.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hungary for success, Socceroo Arzani returns to Europe
Socceroos winger Daniel Arzani has signed up for a second crack at making it in Europe, departing Melbourne Victory for Hungarian champions Ferencvarosi TC. Arzani, 26, will join a club involved in Champions League qualifiers as he tries to kick on from two strong years at Victory, where he reached two grand finals and found the form required to return to the Socceroos fold. "My time at Melbourne Victory has been incredibly rewarding," said Arzani, who had also been linked to Scottish club Hearts. "The club has played a key role in my growth both on and off the pitch over the past couple of seasons, allowing me to enjoy my football and do what I do best." The winger will attempt to kick on and cement his spot ahead of next year's World Cup. Arzani was famously a teen sensation who signed for Manchester City after bursting on to the scene with Melbourne City and appearing at the 2018 World Cup. But an ACL tear in his first loan stint, at Celtic, started a horror four years of bouncing around Europe at different clubs. Arzani had difficult loan stints at Celtic, Dutch team Utrecht, Danish club AGF and Belgian club Lommel, before returning to the A-League Men with Macarthur FC. He joined Victory ahead of the 2023-24 season under now-Socceroos boss Tony Popovic. Across 64 appearances, Arzani notched seven goals and 12 assists for Victory and was show-stopping at his dynamic best while clearly improving his fitness. Arzani's departure follows talented fullback Kasey Bos leaving Victory for German Bundesliga club Mainz. "We are proud of the way Melbourne Victory has been able to kick-start Daniel's career over the past two seasons and enabled him to re-establish himself as an exciting and entertaining talent in Australia, while also earning call-ups with the Socceroos, who as we know are now on the path to the FIFA World Cup 2026," Victory football director John Didulica said. "We thank Daniel for the role he played in helping the club reach consecutive A-League Men's grand finals and hope his upward trajectory can continue in Europe."
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Beckham will be proud: why Brimson switched for England
It was a "big decision" for AJ Brimson to give up playing for Queensland to make himself available for England but it is one he wants his young son Beckham to understand and relish. For the first time the Gold Coast star has explained his decision in detail after representing the Maroons with distinction on four occasions. The 26-year-old was on fire in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night in an elite display, the kind of performance that led to an Origin debut in 2020 at No.1 in a famous 18-14 win in Adelaide. This year Brimson, whose mother Vanessa is English, had his request to switch his international allegiance from Australia to England approved by the International Rugby League (IRL), ruling him out of future Origin appearances. "I am obviously a very proud Queenslander. I grew up in Brisbane and my dream was to play Origin but I also grew up with a mum and family from England," Brimson said. "I always thought it would be great if I could get the chance to represent both sides of the family because I am very proud of my English heritage as well. I am 27 (in September) ... I am getting on. "It is something I've wanted to do for a while, play for England, so I will be putting my hand up to try to play for them this year and going forward." Brimson went on family holidays as a child to Plymouth and south London, getting to understand his roots. Brimson and partner Brooklen want their young son to also understand. "My son is called Beckham so he has got a bit of English heritage as well," Brimson said. "It would be cool for my son to see me play for England. I want him to know his heritage as well. "It's always hard when you say you can't be eligible for Origin being a Queenslander but the opportunity to play for England is something I couldn't pass up." Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley also switched allegiances to England, ruling him out of eligibility for NSW, for similar reasons to Brimson and it is a decision the Titans whiz respects. "It's a big decision to make. You don't take it lightly," Brimson said. "Origin is something that is very important to me. "I have got all my kit and have got my kid dressed in Queensland gear on Origin (night). "Nothing is taking away my passion for Queensland but when you have got parents from different countries, you've got two heritages. It was good to see Victor did that." A massive carrot dangles before Brimson if he can keep up the electrifying form he displayed against Manly with an Ashes tour at the end of this year and a World Cup in 2026. "(The Ashes) would be insane to be a part of, especially over there. I have family over there that would love to see me play," Brimson said. "I will try and get picked and I will play any position that the coach wants me. I want to make my England debut and the World Cup is something that is on the cards as well." Despite Origin dominating the headlines right now, Brimson was emphatic when asked if he had regrets about not being available. "No. Obviously you'd always love to be part of Origin but this is the decision I have made and I have made it for my reasons," he said. It was a "big decision" for AJ Brimson to give up playing for Queensland to make himself available for England but it is one he wants his young son Beckham to understand and relish. For the first time the Gold Coast star has explained his decision in detail after representing the Maroons with distinction on four occasions. The 26-year-old was on fire in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night in an elite display, the kind of performance that led to an Origin debut in 2020 at No.1 in a famous 18-14 win in Adelaide. This year Brimson, whose mother Vanessa is English, had his request to switch his international allegiance from Australia to England approved by the International Rugby League (IRL), ruling him out of future Origin appearances. "I am obviously a very proud Queenslander. I grew up in Brisbane and my dream was to play Origin but I also grew up with a mum and family from England," Brimson said. "I always thought it would be great if I could get the chance to represent both sides of the family because I am very proud of my English heritage as well. I am 27 (in September) ... I am getting on. "It is something I've wanted to do for a while, play for England, so I will be putting my hand up to try to play for them this year and going forward." Brimson went on family holidays as a child to Plymouth and south London, getting to understand his roots. Brimson and partner Brooklen want their young son to also understand. "My son is called Beckham so he has got a bit of English heritage as well," Brimson said. "It would be cool for my son to see me play for England. I want him to know his heritage as well. "It's always hard when you say you can't be eligible for Origin being a Queenslander but the opportunity to play for England is something I couldn't pass up." Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley also switched allegiances to England, ruling him out of eligibility for NSW, for similar reasons to Brimson and it is a decision the Titans whiz respects. "It's a big decision to make. You don't take it lightly," Brimson said. "Origin is something that is very important to me. "I have got all my kit and have got my kid dressed in Queensland gear on Origin (night). "Nothing is taking away my passion for Queensland but when you have got parents from different countries, you've got two heritages. It was good to see Victor did that." A massive carrot dangles before Brimson if he can keep up the electrifying form he displayed against Manly with an Ashes tour at the end of this year and a World Cup in 2026. "(The Ashes) would be insane to be a part of, especially over there. I have family over there that would love to see me play," Brimson said. "I will try and get picked and I will play any position that the coach wants me. I want to make my England debut and the World Cup is something that is on the cards as well." Despite Origin dominating the headlines right now, Brimson was emphatic when asked if he had regrets about not being available. "No. Obviously you'd always love to be part of Origin but this is the decision I have made and I have made it for my reasons," he said. It was a "big decision" for AJ Brimson to give up playing for Queensland to make himself available for England but it is one he wants his young son Beckham to understand and relish. For the first time the Gold Coast star has explained his decision in detail after representing the Maroons with distinction on four occasions. The 26-year-old was on fire in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night in an elite display, the kind of performance that led to an Origin debut in 2020 at No.1 in a famous 18-14 win in Adelaide. This year Brimson, whose mother Vanessa is English, had his request to switch his international allegiance from Australia to England approved by the International Rugby League (IRL), ruling him out of future Origin appearances. "I am obviously a very proud Queenslander. I grew up in Brisbane and my dream was to play Origin but I also grew up with a mum and family from England," Brimson said. "I always thought it would be great if I could get the chance to represent both sides of the family because I am very proud of my English heritage as well. I am 27 (in September) ... I am getting on. "It is something I've wanted to do for a while, play for England, so I will be putting my hand up to try to play for them this year and going forward." Brimson went on family holidays as a child to Plymouth and south London, getting to understand his roots. Brimson and partner Brooklen want their young son to also understand. "My son is called Beckham so he has got a bit of English heritage as well," Brimson said. "It would be cool for my son to see me play for England. I want him to know his heritage as well. "It's always hard when you say you can't be eligible for Origin being a Queenslander but the opportunity to play for England is something I couldn't pass up." Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley also switched allegiances to England, ruling him out of eligibility for NSW, for similar reasons to Brimson and it is a decision the Titans whiz respects. "It's a big decision to make. You don't take it lightly," Brimson said. "Origin is something that is very important to me. "I have got all my kit and have got my kid dressed in Queensland gear on Origin (night). "Nothing is taking away my passion for Queensland but when you have got parents from different countries, you've got two heritages. It was good to see Victor did that." A massive carrot dangles before Brimson if he can keep up the electrifying form he displayed against Manly with an Ashes tour at the end of this year and a World Cup in 2026. "(The Ashes) would be insane to be a part of, especially over there. I have family over there that would love to see me play," Brimson said. "I will try and get picked and I will play any position that the coach wants me. I want to make my England debut and the World Cup is something that is on the cards as well." Despite Origin dominating the headlines right now, Brimson was emphatic when asked if he had regrets about not being available. "No. Obviously you'd always love to be part of Origin but this is the decision I have made and I have made it for my reasons," he said.
Courier-Mail
9 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Hint over Ange Postecoglou's next job as big money suitor emerges
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. Speculation continues to swirl over Ange Postecoglou's next coaching job, with a report out of the UK linking him to a Saudi Arabian team. Postecoglou is on the lookout for another coaching gig after he was sacked by Tottenham despite winning the Europa League and breaking the club's 17-year trophy drought. Watch every game of The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Tottenham have since announced former Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their new manager in an appointment that had been widely expected. Postecoglou, who was spotted at Lord's watching the World Test Championship Final this week, is said to have several clubs from around the world interested in his services. According to the UK Telegraph, Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli is interested in Postecoglou, with the Asian Champions League winners possibly looking for a new manager if current boss Matthias Jaissle returns to Europe. Al-Ahli defeated Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League final with a team featuring Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy. Al-Ahli finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League, 16 points behind champions Al-Ittihad, who have French striker Karim Benzema. Postecoglou is expected to field offers from several clubs this off-season, with reports the Aussie would like to remain in Europe. Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou at the World Test Championship final at Lord's. (Photo by) Taking the Al-Ahli job in Saudi Arabia would likely see Postecoglou paid handsomely after he received a payout of around A$12.4 million from Tottenham, including a bonus for getting Spurs to next season's Champions League. Timing could be an issue for Postecoglou, with Socceroos great Robbie Slater telling Code Sports it might be tough for the 59-year-old to secure a new job before the new season starts in August. 'He put himself in that top echelon by being at a big club and winning a big trophy,' Slater said. 'The way he plays football, I don't think a lower club in the Premier League will look at him and go we can take that risk. 'And 22 Premier League games lost, I can't see one of the big ones again, at least not just yet. MORE: Where will Ange Postecoglou coach next? Postecoglou will be a wanted man in Europe, but where will he land? (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) 'He might get that opportunity in Europe, maybe Spain or France. I don't know. 'He's gonna get a job. I can't see him not. He will be in demand. 'I think he's done well enough at Celtic to show League success and by lifting this trophy he will stay in one of the top five leagues which is in Italy, France, Germany, Spain or England.' Football reporter Vince Rugari told ABC's Offsiders last week: 'I honestly think Ange will want to stick in the Premier League, mostly because there is a narrative that his style of football is unsustainable in the Premier League, that he is naive and he can't cut it. 'I think he will want to comprehensively dismantle that point of view and prove it by taking over another club and being successful in the Premier League.' The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare wrote on X: 'An element of this I've found really interesting throughout is what's Ange's next job? He's such a hard manager to place in the footballing ecosystem. 'Can sort of imagine a historic club like Ajax where he talks in his first presser about watching Cruyff as a kid with his old man.' Champions League runners-up Inter Milan are looking for a manager after Simone Inzaghi moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. But top European clubs could be eager to assess Postecoglou further before appointing him as coach, he could coach a club in Turkey or Greece to further enhance his coaching CV. Man City star: 'I'd give up a League title to have won Europa League with Spurs' Kyle Walker is one of Manchester City's most decorated players, but the former Tottenham player has said he would give up one of his six Premier League titles with City to be part of Spurs' drought-breaking Europa League win. Walker has won six Premier Leagues, four League Cups, two FA Cups and a Champions League at Man City after moving from Tottenham, where he began his career. The 33-year-old midfielder told his BBC podcast: 'I'd probably give up one Premier League title, not the first, to have won that Europa League with Tottenham because I know what it means. 'Probably my second — although that was the 'Four-midables' (when City won all four domestic trophies). Kyle Walker would give up one of his Premier League titles to have won with Tottenham. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) 'It's hard to give one away but for what that moment meant, to say I was in that Spurs squad that won a trophy.' Walker — who spent eight years at Tottenham — admitted he was a bag of nerves watching his old club beat Manchester United 1-0 last month. He added: 'It was the first time in a long time I've been nervous — and I wasn't even playing. 'I was there with my iPad and I couldn't sit and watch it. I was walking up and down my room. 'We reached a lot of finals but against better teams who knew how to win. 'They've always been a club that nearly got over the line but not quite. I'm buzzing for them.' Originally published as Hint over Ange Postecoglou's next job as big money suitor emerges
