Australia’s rivals for last round of World Cup qualifiers revealed

The Socceroos are vying to appear at a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup and now the Aussies know which sides stand in their way.

Australia is hoping to compete at the World Cup in Qatar, commencing next November. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP)

The Socceroos have been drawn into Group B for the third and final stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Following a dominant showing in the second round of the qualifiers, Australia joins Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Oman and Vietnam in the pool.

The nations that place in the top two of each group will qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the two nations placing third must compete for a spot in the intercontinental playoff.

Japan, ranked 28th by FIFA, looms as the biggest threat to Australia’s hopes of qualifying for a fifth consecutive World Cup.

Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia all finished top of their respective groups in the second round of the qualifiers, while China, Oman and Vietnam finished runners-up in theirs.

Group A comprises the remainder of nations that have qualified for the third round, with Iran, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon all featuring on the opposite side of the draw to Australia.

CONFIRMED: The Socceroos have been drawn into Group B of the #AsianQualifiers Final Round!

The top two nations will advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup while third place will enter the play-off rounds. #AllForTheSocceroospic.twitter.com/iD5jHBe1ip

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) July 1, 2021

Games in the third round of the qualifying stage will be played on 2 September 2021, 7 September 2021, 7 October 2021, 12 October 2021, 11 November 2021, 16 November 2021, 27 January 2022, 1 February 2022, 24 March 2022 and 29 March 2022.

Australia went through the second round of qualifiers undefeated, scoring 28 goals and conceding just two.

Graham Arnold is yet to coach the Socceroos at a World Cup. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, the Australian Olympic Committee announced the 18-man team set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in July.

All 18 members will make their Olympic debut in what will be the Olyroos’ first appearance at the Games since 2008.

Australia has drawn into Group C for the group stage, alongside Argentina, Spain and Egypt.

Originally published as Australia’s rivals for last round of World Cup qualifiers revealed