Socceroos lock in friendly date with Jordan ahead of crunch World Cup playoff against the UAE

The Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying hopes will be helped by a friendly against Jordan next month.

The Socceroos’ preparations for next month’s do-or-die World Cup playoff against the United Arab Emirates will include a friendly meeting with Jordan.

Australia must beat the UAE on June 7 in the AFC playoff to progress to the following week’s intercontinental playoff against Peru, with the winner of that match to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The clash with Jordan is scheduled for June 1 and will also take place in Qatar, where the playoffs are being contested.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is grateful for a friendly ahead of the World Cup playoffs. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to play Jordan,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.

“While we are rivals on the pitch, off the pitch we have developed good communication and understanding with the Jordan Football Association over the past few years, so it is pleasing that we have been able to secure this match as we prepare for our World Cup play-offs in Qatar and Jordan prepare for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualification fixtures in Kuwait.”

Arnold is in Europe overseeing the form of a host of players in contention for selection in Australia’s squad, which will be named later this month.

“We are monitoring a large group of players globally ahead of the final squad selection,” he said.

“It has been pleasing seeing many Australian players in strong form at their clubs over the past few weeks.

“I am excited to think that many of our players will arrive in camp with great minutes under their belts ready for our final World Cup qualifying push.”

If the Socceroos qualify for the November-December World Cup, they will be in Group D with Tunisia, Denmark and defending champions France.