Australia vs Japan: 2026 World Cup Qualifier Preview, Prediction, Team News & Lineups

Preview: Australia vs Japan

Two footballing powerhouses in Asia, Australia and Japan, are set to clash in a high-stakes Group B encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Qualifiers. The match will unfold at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, where the Socceroos will look to take advantage of their home conditions against a Japanese side brimming with confidence.

Match Details

• Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
• Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
• Kick-off Time: 10:00 GMT

Current Form

Australia

The Socceroos enter this encounter unbeaten in their last three matches, including wins over New Zealand and Bangladesh. Under the leadership of coach Graham Arnold, Australia are looking to continue their momentum and make a statement in the qualifiers.

Japan

Japan are in excellent form, showcasing dominant performances in recent friendlies and qualification matches. With stars like Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada, the Samurai Blue are expected to field a strong XI capable of dictating the pace of the game.

Team News

Australia Team News

Coach Graham Arnold is expected to name a strong squad with experienced campaigners like Mathew Ryan in goal and Harry Souttar in defense. Injuries to key players like Ajdin Hrustic could force changes in midfield, while Martin Boyle remains a likely starter in attack.

Japan Team News

Japan could name a near full-strength lineup with most of their European-based players available. Coach Hajime Moriyasu will rely on attacking depth with options like Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan, while Maya Yoshida leads the defense.

Predicted Lineups

Australia Predicted XI:

• Ryan
• Karacic
• Souttar
• Rowles
• Behich
• Irvine
• Metcalfe
• Boyle
• McGree
• Mabil
• Duke

Japan Predicted XI:

• Gonda
• Sakai
• Tomiyasu
• Yoshida
• Nagatomo
• Morita
• Endo
• Minamino
• Kamada
• Doan
• Asano

Prediction

This fixture has historically been tightly contested, with Japan narrowly edging recent encounters. However, Australia’s home advantage cannot be underestimated. Expect a tactical battle where midfields clash and defensive structure remains key.

Prediction: Australia 1-1 Japan

Key Stats

• Japan are unbeaten in their last 5 meetings against Australia.
• Australia have scored 2+ goals in each of their last 3 home games.
• Both teams have qualified for each of the last four World Cups.

This meeting could define the early fortunes of both teams in their qualification journey, making it a must-watch fixture in the AFC calendar.