Australia has reached the next round of qualifying with two games to spare – but with precious FIFA ranking points on offer, that is not to say they are meaningless fixtures.
Graham Arnold will aim to balance the freedom to experiment that the Socceroos have earned in the current stage of World Cup qualifying with the need to bank as many FIFA ranking points as possible to ensure a smoother path and a potentially easy group at the expanded 2026 tournament.confirmed Australia’s spot in the next stage of qualifiers with two matches – away to Bangladesh and home to Palestine – left to spare.
A spot in pot one would ensure the Socceroos avoid any match-ups with Japan or Iran and thus a simpler task in qualifying – albeit with the caveat that,If Australia was to leapfrog South Korea in the June window and land in pot one, the toughest possible group they could face – using the live rankings and current positions in the current qualification round as a rough guide – would include Korea, Iraq, Jordan, China and Kyrgyzstan.
Arnold acknowledged he had scope to try out new faces or systems against Bangladesh and Palestine, and that some of his senior players may need a proper post-season holiday to refresh themselves physically and mentally, but said his priority was winning both games and securing the maximum number of ranking points.
But as players dispersed on Wednesday to their clubs around the world, they left with a stern message from Arnold ringing in their ears.“I had a strong conversation with the players about individual quality and ownership, because I get one session, two sessions ,” he said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »
Socceroos v Lebanon LIVE updates: Socceroos to battle Lebanon in ‘away’ World Cup qualifier in CanberraFollow along for all the live action for the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Canberra. A win will see the Aussie’s go through to the third round.
Read more »
Socceroos v Lebanon LIVE updates: Socceroos to battle Lebanon in ‘away’ World Cup qualifier in CanberraFollow along for all the live action for the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Canberra. A win will see the Aussie’s go through to the third round.
Read more »
Why the door is open for more Socceroos debutants in rematchWith Riley McGree and Jordan Bos sidelined, and Keanu Baccus banned, Graham Arnold’s side will look a little different in Tuesday night’s rematch with Lebanon.
Read more »