Soccer: Australia face World Cup qualifying problems

Australia are already facing an uphill battle to qualify for the World Cup in 2026 following a shock defeat to Bahrain on Thursday night.

Head coach Graham Arnold spoke of the importance of starting the third qualifying stage strongly, but the 1-0 defeat to Bahrain puts them on the back foot.

All is not lost and there is still time to turn things around, but it will be far from easy with some tough tests on the horizon.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States and the Socceroos will be desperate to get there.

Let’s take a look at the task ahead for the Socceroos, who are huge 501.00 shots to lift the World Cup.

Third qualifying stage prospects

The Socceroos are now into the third qualifying stage after breezing through stage two, but here is where it gets much harder.

They have found that out already with the shock 1-0 loss at home to Bahrain on the Gold Coast on Thursday night, as a late Harry Souttar own goal proved decisive after Kusini Yengi had been sent off just over 10 minutes from time.

Australia are in Group C and, as well as Bahrain, they will come up against Japan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China.

Only the top two sides earn automatic World Cup qualification and Japan and Saudi Arabia look to be the hot fancies to take those places.

Japan smashed China 7-0 in their opening game, although the Saudis did drop points in a 1-1 draw against Indonesia.

That has left the door open for Australia, but they cannot afford many more slip-ups.

Indonesia next up for Socceroos

The Socceroos will have been licking their wounds following the 1-0 reverse at the hands of Bahrain.

With sterner tests to come in the group, it was important to start with two wins, and now three points against Indonesia is a must.

That will be far from easy though as Indonesia showed what they are capable of with a 1-1 draw in Saudi Arabia.

They will be on home soil on Tuesday night, so should be full of confidence and the pressure will be on the Socceroos as anything less than three points will be a huge blow to their qualification hopes.

Australia are the hot fancies at 1.53 to win the game, while Indonesia are 6.00 to cause an upset and the draw is available at 3.70.

Busy time before the year ends

Following on from the Indonesia game, the next round of qualifying matches takes place in October's international break.

First up for the Aussies will be a clash on home soil against China on 10th October, before they head to Japan for a massive game five days later.

The year is wrapped up with two qualifiers in November. Saudi Arabia are the visitors on 14th November, before a re-match with Bahrain on 19th November.