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Australia qualify for sixth straight World Cup by condemning Saudi Arabia to AFC play-offs

<p>Australia secured the result they needed to reach the 2026 World Cup and end Saudi Arabia's hopes of a top-two finish in AFC qualifying. The Socceroos only had to avoid a heavy defeat to book their place but strikes from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke ensured they bagged a 2-1 win at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Australia finished six points ahead of Saudi Arabia in Group C in the third round of AFC qualifying and the Middle Eastern nation will now have to navigate a fourth round, with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Oman and Indonesia also suffering the same fate.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>On top of co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/world-cup-2026-qualified-teams/blt02d529869efc91db#cs6bbfcb2d6b05c06e" target="_blank">eight teams have now qualified for next year's World Cup</a>. Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan are confirmed representatives from the AFC, while Argentina and New Zealand have also rubber-stamped their seats on the plane to the US.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Some teams around Europe are still at the start of their World Cup qualification campaigns. The likes of Spain, Germany, France and Portugal are yet to play a game due to their Nations League commitments, though England have played three qualifiers, winning each of them.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Australia qualify for sixth straight World Cup by condemning Saudi Arabia to AFC play-offs | Goal.com

Australia beat Saudi Arabia to confirm their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, consigning their opponents to the AFC play-offs.