The Socceroos have officially booked their spot in the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup.
The Aussies beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the early hours of Wednesday morning to cement their position in the global tournament, to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US in June and July next year.
The Socceroos only had to avoid a five-goal defeat to Saudi Arabia to make it through, having beaten Japan last week to all but seal their fate.
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It will be a sixth straight World Cup for the national men’s team, a streak going back to the famous 2006 qualification.
Saudi Arabia scored the first goal to go 1-0 up after 19 minutes but then Connor Metcalfe and Mitch Duke scored either side of half time to put the Aussies on top.
The Socceroos celebrate a Mitch Duke goal against Saudi Arabia. Getty
There was elation when Duke got his head to a Martin Boyle cross to find the back of the net in the 48th minute.
“Right on the button for Mitch Duke, who rises and glances with great expertise,” Andy Harper said in commentary.
“A beautiful touch from Mitch Duke who turns to watch the ball sail into the net and give Australia the lead.”
Saudi Arabia had a golden chance to square the ledger in the 84th minute when given a contentious penalty, but Aussie goalkeeper Maty Ryan made a stunning save diving to his left to stop the shot.
Mitch Duke of Australia scores his team’s second goal. Getty
“A game that had a bit of everything,” commentator Simon Hill said when the full-time whistle blew.
Former Socceroos player Luke Wilkshire labelled it “a professional performance”.
“We felt like we were going to qualify, but we still had to go there and do a job,” he said on Paramount+.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic remains unbeaten in the job, after replacing Graham Arnold in September.
“The impact he has had has been phenomenal,” Wilkshire said.
“Full credit to him and the full squad, because you have seen the resilience and the character of the boys there.”
The coach was rapt when speaking post-game.
“Very satisfying right now, I’m sure it will sink in as the days go by,” Popovic said.
“It’s been a very intense period since I’ve joined and I’ve loved it so far.
“We have done the first part, qualifying automatically, and the next part is being bigger and better for the World Cup.”
Goal scorer Duke was elated to get the result.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. Paramount Pictures
“It feels damn good,” he smiled.
“We started the journey with not the best start, and to get us here into automatic qualification, we haven’t done that for a while either, it just feels unbelievable.
“Honestly, Maty Ryan 100 caps, what a legend. Penalty save as well, I think he should have got man of the match to be honest.
“For me… I wasn’t even supposed to be here. Matt Leckie got injured and I was a late call-up. It feels good, a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors.”
Former Socceroos player Craig Foster spoke to Nine’s Today, and pointed out the team was missing gun players Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar, and Craig Goodwin, making the two wins in the space of a week even more impressive.
“You couldn’t ask more for from Tony Popovic,” Foster said.
Japan finished top of Group C in qualifying, and the Socceroos finish second in the group to make it through.
