The Socceroos have been left frustrated once again in World Cup Qualifying after a 0-0 draw with Indonesia, the world’s 133rd-ranked team. So, can the Socceroos still make the World Cup?
What happened?
Australia was dominant in possession (63%), with five shots on target and 15 corners, but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.
The best chance came in the 33rd minute courtesy of 18-year-old Bayern Munich star Nestory Irankunda, whose long shot hit the right goalpost.
What does it mean for the Socceroos’ World Cup chances?
Australia is part of the Asian Football Conference (AFC). The AFC has been allocated eight spots at the 2026 World Cup, plus the possibility of one extra through playoffs.
Of the 46 teams in Asia, 18 remain in the third round of qualifying. Those 18 teams have been split into three groups of six. The top two teams in each group will earn a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Australia is currently in fifth and has three more games (against China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia) to move up into the top two.
What if we don’t make the top two?
If Australia does not make the top two, they head to the fourth round which consists of the third and fourth-placed teams from each third-round group.
The six teams in the fourth round will be split into two groups of three, with the winner of each group earning a spot. Then, all eight of the AFC’s spots at the 2026 World Cup will be occupied.
There is a last-ditch opportunity for a team to qualify for the FIFA play-off tournament, but that’s a position the Socceroos won’t want to find themselves in.
What they said:
Coach Graham Arnold said: “How many chances do we create? How many chances do we get? And it’s been a common theme for over a year… They all admitted their performance wasn’t good enough in the first game. They’re in [the changerooms], they’re filthy about the result.”
What’s next?
The Socceroos’ third match of this round of World Cup Qualifying is against China on 10 October. China are the only team in the group to have lost their first two matches.
