FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC

Australia vs Japan, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - AFC, Third Round

· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC
Australia
  • 90': Aziz Behich
FT
1 - 0
Japan

    Late Behich winner all but secures Socceroos World Cup spot

    The Socceroos have effectively punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an Aziz Behich stunner in the 90th minute lifted them to a 1-0 win over Japan at a sold-out Optus Stadium.

    Game Information

    Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC

    Venue: Optus Stadium
    Location: Perth, Australia
    Attendance: 57,226

    Line-Ups

    AUS Australia (3-4-2-1)

    No. Name
    1 Mathew Ryan (GK)
    2 Milos Degenek
    21 Cameron Burgess
    23 Alessandro Circati
    17 Ryan Teague
    13 Aiden O'Neill
    16 Aziz Behich
    3 Lewis Miller
    11 Brandon Borrello
    8 Connor Metcalfe
    6 Martin Boyle
    Australia Substitutes:
    Anthony Cáceres, Patrick Yazbek, Riley McGree, Kai Trewin, Kye Rowles, Joe Gauci, Marco Tilio, Paul Izzo, Adam Taggart, Daniel Arzani, Mitchell Duke, Jason Geria.

    JPN Japan (3-4-2-1)

    No. Name
    23 Kosei Tani (GK)
    4 Tsuyoshi Watanabe
    16 Koki Machida
    2 Hiroki Sekine
    5 Kaishu Sano
    7 Joel Chima Fujita
    20 Kota Tawaratsumida
    11 Yu Hirakawa
    9 Yuki Ohashi
    15 Daichi Kamada
    8 Yuito Suzuki
    Japan Substitutes:
    Wataru Endo, Kota Takai, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino, Keito Nakamura, Zion Suzuki, Shunsuke Mito, Takefusa Kubo, Ayumu Seko, Keisuke Osako, Koki Kumasaka, Kodai Sano.

    WCQ - AFC News

    Paul Okon on any changes to the XI against Paraguay
    Paul Okon on any changes to the XI against Paraguay

    Socceroos assistant Paul Okon believes Australia will make changes to the starting XI in their final World Cup group stage clash against Paraguay.

    Daichi Kamada reiterates Japan's goal to win World Cup after record victory
    Daichi Kamada reiterates Japan's goal to win World Cup after record victory

    In the milestone 1,000th game at the FIFA World Cup, Japan made some history of their own at Estadio BBVA on Saturday.

    In FIFA World Cup's milestone 1,000th match, Japan arise to make history of their own
    In FIFA World Cup's milestone 1,000th match, Japan arise to make history of their own

    This may still not be the year Japan become the newest world champions. But, if their most dominant of World Cup displays on Saturday is anything to go by, they are definitely on the right path at long last.

    Why Keito Nakamura could be Japan's ace in the pack in more ways than one
    Why Keito Nakamura could be Japan's ace in the pack in more ways than one

    Keito Nakamura was not guaranteed to start for Japan at the World Cup. But he is now emerging as a pivotal figure.

    Japan 'came here to win the World Cup, not fun' - Yukinari Sugawara
    Japan 'came here to win the World Cup, not fun' - Yukinari Sugawara

    Japan wingback Yukinari Sugawara has reiterated that his team are at the World Cup not just to participate, but to win it.