Saudi Arabia vs Australia Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Kangaroos need a point to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers fixture takes us to the King Abdullah Sport City Ground in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia and Australia lock horns against each other.

The Saudi national team have been drawn alongside formidable opponents such as Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Bahrain and China to vie for a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026. They have had a decent campaign so far, securing 13 points in nine games.

In their final group fixture, they will need more than a miracle to leapfrog their immediate opponents, Australia, and grab the second spot, as they are three points and eight goals ahead of the Arabian giants.

Australia would just need to avoid a 4-0 defeat or anything worse to make it to the FIFA World Cup 2026. They have solidified their position in the second spot behind table toppers Japan. They seem all set to play the FIFA World Cup 2026.

They have lost only a solitary game in the campaign so far, and a point or even a slender defeat is enough to hand them a ticket to America for 2026.

Kick-off: 

• Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Stadium: King Abdullah Sport City Ground
• Date: Tuesday, 10 June
• Kick-off Time: 11:45 PM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form: 

Saudi Arabia (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-L

Australia (in all competitions): W-W-W-D-D

Players to watch :

Firas al Buraikan (Saudi Arabia)

The 25-year-old Saudi striker from Riyadh plies his trade with the Al-Ahli football team. He has previously played for teams like Al Nassr and Al Fateh in the Saudi top flight. He has played 50 times for the Saudi national team and has scored nine goals.

He played a crucial role in helping Al Ahli win the ACL Elite this season. He now has to pull out a miraculous performance to help Saudi Arabia make it to the FIFA WC 2026 in this round.

The muscian 🎸💚Firas Al-Buraikan joins Al-Ahli on a 5-year deal#فراس_أهلاوي pic.twitter.com/vZ8tXH7eQ3

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) September 3, 2023

Cameron Burges (Australia)

The 29-year-old Australian centre back born and brought up in the United Kingdom has honed his skills at Fulham and Accrington Stanley before finding his new home at Portman Road in Ipswich Town.

He featured for the youth teams of Scotland before switching allegiance to Australia in 2014. Since then, he has been a key asset in the defence for the Kangaroos and would be looking forward to yet another clean sheet in the next game.

9️⃣0️⃣ minutes for Cam Burgess in the @Socceroos' win over Indonesia. 👊 pic.twitter.com/QjqLwEWWE9

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) March 20, 2025

Match facts

• Saudi Arabia won three of their last five matches.
• Australia won three of their last five matches.
• Australia are coming after a 1-0 win over Japan.

Betting Tips and Odds

• Tip 1 – Saudi Arabia to win the match.
• Tip 2 – Firas al Buraikan to score first
• Tip 3 – Saudi 2-0 Australia

Injury and team news

Saudi Arabia will miss the presence of Muhanad Al-Saad for the next game.

Riley McGree will be one of the major absences for Australia in the upcoming game.

Head-to-head record

Total matches – 11

Saudi Arabia won – 02

Australia won – 05

Matches drawn – 04

Predicted lineup

Saudi Arabia predicted lineup (3-4-2-1)

Ryan (GK); Circati, Degenek, Burgess; Miller, O’Niell, Teague, Behich; Boyle, Metcalfe; Borrello

Australia predicted lineup (5-4-1)

Alaqidi (GK); Majrashi, Tambakti, Kadesh, Boushal; Kanno, Aljohani, Aljuwayr; Yahya, al-Buraikan, Al Dawsari

Match prediction

Looking at Saudi Arabia’s hunger to win this game for a spot in the World Cup, we expect them to emerge victorious in the next match.

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 2-0 Australia

Telecast Details

Saudi Arabia – Shahid

Australia – Paramount+

USA – fubo TV

India – FanCode

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