Australia has all but secured a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot. Here's how they can lock it in

Australia has defeated Japan, paving the way for qualification into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Socceroos have broken a losing streak against Japan to almost certainly guarantee qualification in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Source: AAP / Ramiro Larguía / SPP / Sipa USA

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is desperate for his side to "finish the job" and qualify automatically for next year's FIFA World Cup.

Australia has all but sealed a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance with a win over Japan at Perth Stadium on Thursday night — its first time defeating the Samurai Blue in 16 years.

The Socceroos' possible paths to the World Cup

Japan has already qualified for next year's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, having topped its group in first place.

Australia remains in second place.

Now, with one game left in the third round of qualifying, here's how Australia can take its place at the tournament:

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is hoping to lead the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

If Saudi Arabia had lost against Bahrain during their match in the early hours of Friday, Australia would have secured automatic qualification with a game to spare.

However, the Saudi team defeated Bahrain 2-0. To secure automatic qualification, Australia will need to avoid a heavy defeat against Saudi Arabia when the two teams face off in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The Socceroos will only miss out on automatic qualification if they lose by five goals or more against Saudi Arabia.

The Socceroos defeated Japan for the first time in 16 years on Thursday night. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

If the Socceroos are heavily defeated by Saudi Arabia and finish third or fourth in their group, they will have to qualify via a round-robin tournament in October, which is to be played at a centralised venue within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Six nations will be placed into two groups of three and play each other once.

The two group winners will progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

If the Socceroos were to lose both matches in the round-robin tournament, they would miss out on football's showpiece event for the first time since 2002.

However, if the Socceroos were to finish second in their group at the round-robin tournament, they would have another opportunity to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs.

They would first have to defeat the second-placed nation from the other group in November in a two-legged playoff.

The winner will be the AFC's representative at a six-nation playoff tournament in March next year, where the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined

When and where is the next Socceroos match?

The Socceroos will go head-to-head with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, 11 June, at 4:15am AEST in the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

You can watch all 104 games of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE on SBS and SBS VICELAND.

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