US EditionAustralians wary of Saudi 'games' ahead of crunch World Cup qualifier
- Australia will face Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday in the last Asian qualifying game for the 2026 World Cup, with automatic qualification at stake.
- Saudi Arabia needs to win by five goals to secure direct qualification, while Australia holds a three-point lead and a superior goal difference.
- Australia's coach Tony Popovic has emphasized focus despite the challenge, while Saudi coach Herve Renard urges his team to exert maximum effort.
- With 14 goals scored in nine qualifiers, Australia aims to avoid a rare heavy defeat like the 6-0 losses in 2013, while Saudi Arabia has scored six goals in nine games.
- If Saudi Arabia fails to win by five goals, they will enter the next qualifying stage in October alongside other teams, while Australia looks close to confirming their World Cup spot.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Saudi World Cup hopes rest on tough test against Australia
A Saudi squad that has scored six goals through nine qualifying games needs to beat Australia by a five-goal margin to earn a direct spot at the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Herve Renard knows it's an extremely unlikely outcome for his Saudi team, but he's urging his players to go all in Tuesday in the last game of the third round of Asian qualifying for next year's global tournament. "The door is closed but we have to try to qualify even if it is…
Australians wary of Saudi ‘games’ ahead of crunch World Cup qualifier
Australia’s Connor Metcalfe has warned his teammates to avoid reacting to Saudi Arabia’s gamesmanship when the nations face off in Jeddah on Tuesday with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup finals on the line. Tony Popovic’s outfit go into the meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City with one foot on the plane to North America after a 1-0 win
The Hamilton Spectator
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes hinge on a near-impossible task against Australia
A Saudi squad that has scored six goals through nine qualifying games needs to beat Australia by a five-goal margin to earn a direct spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Australians wary of Saudi 'games' ahead of crunch World Cup qualifier
HONG KONG :Australia's Connor Metcalfe has warned his teammates to avoid reacting to Saudi Arabia's gamesmanship when the nations face off in Jeddah on Tuesday with automatic qualification for next year's World Cup finals on the line.Tony Popovic's outfit go into the meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City w
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