Australia Vs Japan

Australia return to the pitch on Thursday with World Cup dreams in sight, hosting high-flying Japan in a pivotal Asian qualifier in Perth. While the Samurai Blue have already punched their ticket to the 2026 tournament, the Socceroos still have work to do — and a major test awaits.

With just two games left in Group C, Australia sit three points clear of Saudi Arabia in the race for second place — the final automatic qualification spot. A win over Japan would leave Tony Popovic’s side needing just a draw against the Saudis next Tuesday to guarantee safe passage to the global stage.

March brought a welcome boost in form for the Aussies, who hammered Indonesia 5-1 and then secured a solid 2-0 victory away to China. Those results extended Popovic’s unbeaten run since taking the reins from Graham Arnold, whose tenure ended after leading Australia to the last 16 at Qatar 2022.

But the road ahead isn’t easy. Japan has long been a thorn in Australia’s side — the Socceroos haven’t beaten them since 2009. Still, a 1-1 draw in Saitama last October ended a three-match losing streak and showed signs of progress under new leadership.

Should Australia stumble, all hope isn’t lost: third and fourth-place finishers will head into a fourth round of AFC qualifying in October. From there, two more World Cup berths are up for grabs — and even then, one final lifeline exists in the form of the intercontinental playoffs. But the Socceroos would prefer to avoid that drama and seal the deal at home.

While Australia are still battling for a place at North America 2026, Japan have already booked their flight. The Samurai Blue sealed top spot in Group C with two matches to spare, coasting through the third round with six wins from eight and a staggering +22 goal difference.

Their most recent outing was a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia — a rare moment of calm in an otherwise dominant campaign. With just two goals conceded and an average of three scored per game, Hajime Moriyasu’s side has once again set the standard in Asian football.

Thursday’s match in Perth may be a formality for Japan in terms of qualification, but don’t expect them to ease up. With momentum on their side and eyes already set on building a formidable squad for the World Cup, maintaining their unbeaten streak will be a top priority. After Australia, they close out qualifying by hosting Indonesia next week.

For Japan, the final two matches are a chance to refine tactics and test depth. For Australia, it’s all about sealing the deal. One more win could all but punch their ticket to North America. The stakes couldn’t be clearer — and with Japan in town, the challenge couldn’t be tougher.