Australia secured a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday, ending the Green Falcons’ hopes of automatic qualification.With both teams eyeing the second spot in Group C,

Australia qualified for its sixth straight World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos, needing just to avoid defeat by five goals to advance to the 2026 tournament, came from behind with goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke to win after Abdulrahman Al Oboud had put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes.

Saudi Arabia needs a near-impossible outcome against Australia to take the last of six direct spots at the 2026 World Cup in this round of Asian qualifying.