Australia players celebrate after winning a World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match against Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia 1-2 Australia, FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Socceroos Confirm Seventh WC Appearance
Abdulrahman Al-Aboud's 19th-minute goal was offset by strikes on either side of half-time from Connor Metcalfe (42nd minute) and Mitch Duke (48th), as Australia sealed a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (June 10). The result guaranteed the Socceroos a sixth consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup, and their seventh overall. On the other hand, it was the end of the road for Saudi Arabia, as far as automatic qualification is concerned. They will now compete in the playoffs for a WC berth.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's Martin Boyle, left, an dAustralia's goalkeeper Paul David Izzo celebrate after winning a World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match against Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan makes a save in front of Saudi Arabia's Nasser Al Dawsari during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia players celebrate after teammate Mitchell Duke scored his side's second goal during a World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's Mitchell Duke, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's Connor Metcalfe, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, second right, gestures toward the referee after Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Alobud scored his side's opening goal during a World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, left, fails to save the ball as Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Alobud, second left, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Saudi Arabia's Feras Albrikan, center, is challenged by Australia's Milos Degenek, right, during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs Australia
| Photo: AP
Australia's Connor Metcalfe, right, is tackled by Saudi Arabia's Ali Hassan Majrashi during the World Cup 2026 Group C qualifying soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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