
Japan
1st in FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC2023 Schedule









Socceroos winger Daniel Arzani says he is yet to decide on his club future, but confirmed he's in discussions with several teams as his contract with Melbourne Victory nears its end -- amid reported interest from Scotland.

Socceroos forward Brandon Borrello says there is "no chance" Australia will let their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification dream slip away in Saudi Arabia next week.

Aziz Behich didn't initially know he had scored Australia's crucial goal vs. Japan, his first in international football since December 2012.

Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has praised his squad for their backs-to-the-wall performance in last night's 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying upset win over Japan.

Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has described qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- after a seven-month injury layoff -- in front of friends and family in his hometown as a "dream."

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.

Australia are almost certainly on the way to 2026 World Cup after defeating Japan 1-0. Re-live the play-by-play from Thursday night's game.

Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic says his side are prepared and focused ahead of Thursday's crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan.

Tony Popovic and Cameron Burgess talk ahead of the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Japan.

Japan will be hoping sweeping changes to the current squad will hold them in good stead for next year's World Cup.
WCQ - AFC Standings
# | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japan | 9 | +21 | 20 |
2 | Australia | 9 | +8 | 16 |
3 | Saudi Arabia | 9 | 0 | 13 |
4 | Indonesia | 9 | -5 | 12 |
5 | Bahrain | 9 | -10 | 6 |
6 | China | 9 | -14 | 6 |
Team Leaders
Top Scorers
# | Player | Goals | M | A |
---|---|---|---|---|
Daichi Kamada | 3 | 11 | 1 | |
Takefusa Kubo | 3 | 10 | 6 | |
Keito Nakamura | 2 | 9 | 1 |
Top Assists
# | Player | Assists | M | G |
---|---|---|---|---|
Takefusa Kubo | 6 | 10 | 3 | |
Koki Machida | 1 | 11 | 0 | |
Daichi Kamada | 1 | 11 | 3 |