World Cup: Socceroos clash against Nepal is rescheduled to later date

Inactive since November 2019, Australia will have to wait until June before playing again as the countdown to finish the first round of WC qualifiers edges closer.

Awer Mabil and his Socceroos teammates won’t be going to Nepal later this month. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

The Socceroos’ March 30 World Cup qualifier against Nepal in Kathmandu has been postponed.

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on travel, the game – as well as Australia’s other three remaining matches in the current round of qualifiers against Kuwait, Chinese Taipei and Jordan – will now be played between May 31 and June 15 as part of a centralised format.

Australia had been due to host Kuwait, Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

Where the centralised format for the remaining Group B matches will be held is yet to be determined.

.@theafcdotcom have confirmed that the @Socceroos' final four @FIFAWorldCup 2022 and @AFCAsianCup 2023 – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 matches will be played in a centralised format from 31 May to 15 June 2021. https://t.co/YNX66IRKG6

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 2, 2021

“With FIFA having expanded the June window to allow for international matches from 31 May to 15 June, we will need to utilise that period to complete our remaining Group B fixtures prior to the June 15 deadline,” Football Australia CEO James Johnson said.

“We remain committed to the restart of national team football in a COVID-safe manner as soon as possible, and will work with AFC and FIFA, as well as the football associations of Nepal, Jordan, Kuwait, and Chinese Taipei, to play out our remaining qualifiers in a suitable location.”

The Socceroos – who lead Group B by two points and have a perfect record from four matches – last week withdrew from this year’s Copa America due to the backlog of World Cup qualifiers in June.

Originally published as World Cup: Socceroos clash against Nepal is rescheduled to later date