Football
AAP 3y

Australia to play remaining World Cup qualifiers in May

Australia will play their four remaining preliminary World Cup qualifiers at a "suitable location" between May 31-June 15 due to COVID-19 protocols.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

With new travel and quarantine restrictions impacting on several Asian soccer nations, Graham Arnold's men will take on Nepal, Jordan, Kuwait and Taiwan at a hub still to be determined.

Football Australia's CEO James Johnson said they had signalled their intent to Asian Football Confederation to play a constructive role in the resumption of international football in Asia.

"With FIFA having expanded the June window to allow for international matches from May 31 to June 15, we will need to utilise that period to complete our remaining Group B fixtures prior to the June 15 deadline," 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 Taiwan to play out our remaining qualifiers in a suitable location."

The Socceroos were initially scheduled to travel to Kathmandu to face the Nepal on March 30 in their first international match since defeating Jordan in Amman in November 2019.

Australian lead Group B by two points from Kuwait, who have played one game more than the Socceroos.

Jordan and Taiwan complete the group, with the top-place finisher certain to progress to the next round of Asia's qualifying competition for the finals.

^ Back to Top ^