Australia and Brazil are among the teams facing critical matches in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. For Australia, the Socceroos hosted China in a must-win game at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Under new coach Tony Popovic, Australia was desperate for a win after a disappointing start to the final phase of the qualifiers, having picked up just one point from their first two games. The match saw Australia come from behind to win 3-1, with goals from Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin, and Nishan Velupillay, marking a promising start for Popovic’s tenure.
Brazil, meanwhile, traveled to Santiago to face Chile in a CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier. This match is crucial for Brazil, who are at risk of missing out on the World Cup for the first time in history. With only 10 points from eight matches, Brazil sits precariously outside the top six and needs a win to stay in contention. The Selecao will be without key players such as Alisson, Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao, Bremer, and Guilherme Arana due to injuries, but they have a strong historical record against Chile, having lost only one of their last 19 encounters.
Chile, under coach Ricardo Gareca, is also in a tough spot, sitting in ninth place with just five points and facing significant challenges, including the absence of star player Alexis Sanchez due to injury. Brazil’s manager, Dorival Junior, faces high pressure as the team’s performance has been under scrutiny, especially after recent defeats against top teams in the region.
In other Asian qualifiers, Bahrain hosted Indonesia in Group C, with both teams seeking vital points to improve their standings. The group also includes Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, all vying for the top spots that guarantee World Cup qualification.
