Socceroos learn qualifying fate as familiar faces stand in the way of World Cup

The Socceroos have learned the their next path on the road to reaching a sixth-straight FIFA World Cup appearance.

Australia will take on Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Indonesia after the draw was made at the Asian Football Confederation headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Graham Arnold’s men are currently the second-highest-ranked team in Group C for the third round of qualifying and will play home and away fixtures from September to June next year.

They must finish in the top two of their six-team pool to automatically qualify for the 2026 finals.

Japan, Saudi Arabia and China were the most difficult nations the Aussies could have drawn from their pots.

In 2022 Australia finished third behind japan and Saudi Arabia forcing them to qualify for Qatar via an interconfederation playoff.

The teams who finish third and fourth will be thrust into another group stage.

Australia cruised through the second qualifying round with six wins from as many matches, beating Palestine 5-0 in Perth earlier this month to wrap up the phase.

The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, the USA and Mexico and expands from 32 teams to 48 for the first time.

DRAW FOR THE THIRD ASIAN ROUND OF QUALIFYING FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP:

Group A - IR Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Kygryz Republic, DPR Korea

Group B - Korea Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait

Group C - Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia.