I don't think we've ever had this sort of  Socceroo depth in any previous era?

Probably apart from central strikers.

Interesting that Peru beat South K?

Probably less so than having Goodwin and Mabil on the wings. Looking back at the first China qualifier it was a wonderful combination of wide pace and narrow relentlessness that led to our goals. The link up with Taggart was great that night. I think Strain and Bos have proven they themselves can score. We need our best ball players on the pitch. The diamond would play into Irvine's strength at RCM for St Pauli.

I've seen a lot of flat front 3's with good technical ability come towards me at the Hannover end and I wish to have players who are good on the floor and aren't afraid to shoot.

Surprised that Circati did not get a run in a friendly?

All true.

Better teams come at us, hence leaving space to exploit on occasions.

Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player.

No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match.

A game between Ireland and Kuwait U21 was also abandoned today after an Irish player was racially abused by a Kuwaiti on the bench. 

Jordan 2 Jamaica 1
Philippines 2 Taiwan 3
HK 0 Thailand 1
India 2 Lebanon 0
Colombia 1 Iraq 0
Serbia 3 Jordan 2
Sweden 4 NZ 1

Also interesting that Tunisia beat Japan 3-0 prior to the World Cup which meant absolutely nothing 

Some really surprising results in Euro 24 qualifying.

Northern Ireland 0 Kazakhstan 1. Kazakhstan just really motivated and get the results. Northern Ireland had a late late equaliser taken back in Copenhagen days before. Penthouse to cellar when they could've had 4 points.

Moldova come back from 2:0 down to beat Poland 3:2. Luxembourg win 2:0 away in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Scotland's game was rained off after 6min only to resukt nearly 2 hours later. Early goal and they're flying in their group currently.

Sadly other home nations and the Republic of Ireland won't be going to Germany I think. Big beer drinkers from Sweden look in trouble too. Baltic nations have been massively disappointing for I don't know how long now. Ukraine nudging a bit although Italy have a game in hand. Surely the Azzuri can't miss out again? 

Germany lost 1:0 to Poland and 2:0 to Colombia. Friendlies but the manner is absolutely shocking. It's the lowest point since 2004. It's rediculous that Gross and Janelt of the EPL don't get a look in. 

Bulgaria September slot now used for a game against Uzbekistan. Jordan have had a lot of serious practice games lately and have done well. They've got Norway next.

No idea who Australia will play. Austria and Turkey have slots still in the September window. Otherwise it appears pretty rammed. 

Interesting in September is Germany face Japan on the Saturday 9.9 before playing France 3 days later. FA get on the phone and schedule a game in Hannover!

I think Australia will come home. They've got to keep in touch with the fan base. 

Amazing results!

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.

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.  

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 

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

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 🕊

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. 

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

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

assuming they dont sign a replacement that is good news 

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.

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.

Roberto Mancini is the new manager of Saudi Arabia.

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. 

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. 

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

an NPL2 side should do them home and away 

Sad.

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.