The Socceroos' first opponent for the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be determined next week. Twenty-two nations are currently competing for the final six qualification spots in the tournament.
Australia is scheduled to commence its World Cup campaign against one of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo in Vancouver on June 13. The specific European opponent will be confirmed on the morning of Wednesday, April 1 AEDT.
European Playoff Structure
Sixteen European nations are organized into four groups of four. Semi-final matches will precede a final in each group, with the four winners securing berths in the World Cup.
All European semi-finals are scheduled for Friday morning AEDT, while all finals will take place on Wednesday, April 1 AEDT.
UEFA Playoff Path C (Socceroos' Group)
- Semi-finals: Türkiye v Romania, and Slovakia v Kosovo.
- Final: Winner of Türkiye/Romania v Winner of Slovakia/Kosovo.
The winner of this path will join the United States, Paraguay, and Australia in Group D.
Türkiye is currently ranked 25th globally, two positions higher than Australia. Slovakia is ranked 44th, Romania 49th, and Kosovo 79th.
Other UEFA Playoff Paths
- Path A: Semi-finals include Italy v Northern Ireland, and Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winner will join Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B.
- Path B: Semi-finals include Ukraine v Sweden, and Poland v Albania. The winner will join the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in Group F.
- Path D: Semi-finals include Denmark v North Macedonia, and Czechia v Ireland. The winner will join Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea in Group A.
Inter-Confederation Playoff Structure
Six nations are competing in Mexico for two World Cup places: New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo, Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq. Graham Arnold, former Socceroos manager, leads Iraq.
DR Congo and Iraq have automatically advanced to their respective finals as the two highest-ranked countries in this section. This provides Arnold with an opportunity to be the first Australian manager to lead another nation to the World Cup.
Inter-Confederation Playoff Pathway 1
- Semi-final: New Caledonia v Jamaica.
- Final: DR Congo v Winner of New Caledonia/Jamaica.
The winner will join Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan in Group K.
Inter-Confederation Playoff Pathway 2
- Semi-final: Bolivia v Suriname.
- Final: Iraq v Winner of Bolivia/Suriname.
The winner will join France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I.