Australia Secures 2026 World Cup Spot, Edging Saudi Arabia
(MENAFN) Australia secured the final automatic AFC qualification spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday after a tense 2-1 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah during the last round of Group C fixtures. The result ensured the Socceroos finished second in the group with 19 points, safely behind leaders Japan (23 points), who had already sealed qualification and capped their campaign with a dominant 6-0 win over Indonesia.
Australia only needed to avoid a five-goal defeat to progress but went one better, rallying to defeat the hosts and confirm their place at the global tournament.
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, meanwhile, will continue their qualification journey via the playoffs.
In Chongqing, China—already eliminated—earned a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Bahrain thanks to a 90th-minute penalty from Wang Yudong, helping them avoid a bottom-place finish in Group C.
Over in Group A, both Iran and Uzbekistan had already punched their tickets to the 2026 finals and wrapped up their campaigns in commanding fashion. Iran cruised past DPR Korea 3-0, while Uzbekistan matched the scoreline with a comfortable victory over Qatar. Iran topped the group with 23 points, just ahead of Uzbekistan’s 21, as the Central Asian side gears up for its first-ever World Cup appearance.
The United Arab Emirates was held to a 1-1 draw by Kyrgyzstan but still managed to finish third on 15 points. Qatar followed with 13 points, with both nations moving on to the playoff stage.
In Group B, South Korea and Jordan had already qualified with a game to spare. South Korea wrapped up group play in style, dispatching Kuwait 4-0 in Seoul. Jordan, however, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iraq in Amman, as the visitors secured third place in the group standings.
Elsewhere, Oman and Palestine played to a 1-1 draw, with Oman joining Iraq in the upcoming playoff round.
The playoffs will take place in October, splitting six teams into two groups. The winner of each group will secure a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The two second-place finishers will face off for a spot in the inter-confederation playoff, offering one final opportunity to qualify for football’s premier event.
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