Hopefully the AFC make the right decision and move the game. However they made Macarthur play in Myanmar which is a literal war zone so I’m not optimistic.

As if covid 19 wasn’t enough already to screw up international fixtures 😡

Rockets from Lebanon too now. Just can't and won't be played there. Switzerland already requested a change from match in Israel and it's going to happen on neutral territory. 

Great spot. Yeah UAE or Qatar for sure. 

With everything kicking off in Israel I can't see our game being played in Palestine in 5 weeks time. I think it'll be played in the UAE. 

Your thinking is flawed if you truly believe what you have written.

The world cup was 9 months ago and isn't an indicator of current form. There is 4 years between  a world cup so in no way can a performance in it be taken as a current rating or indicator at any time other than the conclusion of the tournament.. The tournament itself includes the majority of but not all of he best teams in the world (Italy was missing for example). Mexico had a tough group there was no shame in not getting out of it. Luck places a part in football and in progressing through tournaments.

You would be alone in thinking Morocco was a top 4 ranked team. It is currently ranked 13th.

Australia is, possibly correctly,  ranked 16 places lower than where you have them. That is an unarguable fact. That doesn't diminish the achievement it is just nowhere near as high as you place it.

I think it is much better to finish 11th in a World Cup than being a an underperforming,  high ranked team that failed  to get out of the group stage at the same World Cup, or didn't get there at all, like  Italy.

As far as I'm concerned where a team comes in the world Cup is its current ranking - not a general FIFA ranking.

Ostensibly, Mexico is currently ranked 12th, but they  didn't get out of the group stage in Qatar.

Argentina, France, Morocco and Croatia are the top four ranked teams in the world IMO, since they finished in the top 4 in the World Cup.

Australia did finish 11th at Qatar but its ranking was 27th as a result of that not 11th.

On paper Aus has an easy draw.

About 18 months ago we were at our lowest ebb compared to other Asian teams. Then 6 months later at the Qara WC,  we finished 11th.  Our best ever ranking compared to the rest of the world.

Not sure if  Aus have improved relative to Japan or Saudi Arabia since? If we are honest they were clearly better than  the Socceroos  in qualifying for Qatar.

 

https://ultra.zone/2026-FIFA-World-Cup-qualification-AFC-Second-Round

Injury can also play a part  too.

If many players are injured in one of the Socceroo positions where we don't have much depth, our depth can be tested.

Funny thing rankings.

We drew with 12th placed Mexico. They didn't get out of the group stage in Qatar, but are consistent mid-ranked international performers. They play regularly in World Cups too.

The Socceroos  also finished 11th in Qatar. The WC being the ultimate, pinnacle of football.

Not sure where Italy are currently ranked? Astonishingly,  the Azzurri generally recognised as a world powerhouse missed qualification for the last two WCs, whilst winning the Euro Champs in between. Whilst in France I watched them go a long way in the 2016 Euro Champs too.

Sad.

an NPL2 side should do them home and away 

As long as Arnie picks on form we should sail through this round.

I'm a bit worried about this qualification round. It's banana skins all over the place. Bangladesh will be our likely opponent. We were fine there away last time but it's a tough place on a terrible pitch.

Of course stuffing up against these teams doesn't warrant a world cup spot. These ME away games on less ideal pitches in the heat against plucky sides. Just got to get the job done. We were ruthless away for 2018 in the initial round so more of that. 

Australia will open their 2026 qualification campaign against Bangladesh or Maldives at Aami Park.

I'd have preferred Perth. Long trip back to Palestine for the second game. Palestine hosted games in Palestine last time before going to Saudi Arabia which might have been more Covid related than security. 

Roberto Mancini is the new manager of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation is in advanced talks with Roberto Mancini to become their new national team manager. 🇸🇦

The former Man City boss has been number one on their list of targets. Mancini resigned as Italy head coach on Sunday.

Our calendar is now full until next June. The Roos won't be home until November. We might have a Tuesday game in America. It bugs me we probably won't get one. Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala are free so perhaps a game in Austin on the Tuesday could work.

Uzbekistan mean business with a trip to the US to play the USA on 9.9 and Mexico on 12.9 in St Louis and Atlanta respectively. Oman are over there too against USA on 12.9 in St Paul.

Germany going over to USA in October.
Japan play Germany in Wolfsburg when we're in Dallas then a few days later in Genk against Turkey in a Kirin Cup game.
7.9 sees South Korea in Wales.
Jordan have away friendlies in Norway and Azerbaijan.
Thailand have the King's Cup with invites for Iraq, Lebanon and India. It'd be great to do one of those one day.

assuming they dont sign a replacement that is good news 

A: Qatar India Kuwait Afghanistan/Mongolia   Surely Kuwait aren't going to pip Qatar here?

B: Japan Syria North Korea Myanmar/Macau   Wouldn't mind Syria slipping up but North Korea are a footballing nuisance with their unpredictability. 

C: South Korea China Thailand Singapore/ Guam  Would love nothing more than Thailand getting past China.

D: Oman Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia  Taiwan/ Timor Leste  A disappointing draw because I'd like Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan to advance but I can't see it.

E: Iran Uzbekistan Turkmenistan  Hong Kong/ Bhutan    Forgone conclusion this one.

F: Iraq Vietnam Philippines Indonesia/ Brunei   This one is really open and Indonesia have improved a lot. Here's hoping Iraq slip up.
 
G: Saudi Arabia Jordan Tajikistan Cambodia/ Pakistan    Tajikistan youth teams have improved so they might pressure Jordan.

H: UAE Bahrain Yemen/Sri Lanka Nepal/Laos    Two ME teams through

I: Australian Palestine Lebanon Maldives/ Bangladesh

A: Qatar India Kuwait Afghanistan/Mongolia
B: Japan Syria North Korea Myanmar/Macau
C: South Korea China Thailand Singapore/ Guam
D: Oman Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia  Taiwan/ Timor Leste
E: Iran Uzbekistan Turkmenistan  Hong Kong/ Bhutan
F: Iraq Vietnam Philippines Indonesia/ Brunei
G: Saudi Arabia Jordan Tajikistan Cambodia/ Pakistan
H: UAE Bahrain Yemen/Sri Lanka Nepal/Laos
I: Australian Palestine Lebanon Maldives/ Bangladesh

16 November2026 WCQ R2

Australia

v

TBD

Australia

21 November2026 WCQ R2

Palestine

v

Australia

Palestine

21 March2026 WCQ R2

Australia

v

Lebanon

Australia

26 March2026 WCQ R2

Lebanon

v

Australia

Lebanon

6 June2026 WCQ R2

TBD

v

Australia

11 June2026 WCQ R2

Australia

v

Palestine

Australia

So we face Lebanon twice in the single window

So if the wiki is correct we start at home vs Maldives or Bangladesh on Nov 16. I'd say do that in Perth then it's Palestine away on Nov 21. Palestine home at Hindmarsh would be great. Lebanon probably in Melbourne. 

The Socceroos family are saddened to hear of the passing of cap #191, 1974 FIFA World Cup representative and Football Australia Hall of Fame member, Attila Abonyi.

Vale, Atti 🕊

There's a rumour that Celtics Jota will sign for Al Ittihad. That would help Tilio's playing chances if he moves there.  

Oh yes great point so it's pretty vital we hold on to 3rd then. Also wouldn't be concerned having South Korea as they would assist in beating many opponents. However, a weaker set would hopefully and finally have some draws unlike the last two cycles. Current 3 per pot:

Japan, Iran, Australia

Korea, Saudi, Qatar

Iraq, UAE, Oman

Uzbekistan, China, Jordan

Bahrain Syria Vietnam

India Palestine Kyrgyzstan 

Can be an advantage in the final round of qualification to avoid Japan as there will be 3 groups with top 2 will automatically qualify for the world cup.  

Australia now up to 27th in the world and one spot ahead of South Korea. I don't think it changes too much with WC qualifying pots.

Amazing results!