The Socceroos may have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But the motivation to maintain their current 11-match undefeated run remains as strong as ever heading into a crucial international friendly against the USA in Colorado on Wednesday morning (Australian time).
Having dispatched Canada 1-0 on Saturday in Montreal, the Socceroos have leapt to 24th in the tournament rankings according to Football Meets Data.
The result currently places Australia slightly ahead of Austria (who lost 1-0 to Romania in their latest UEFA qualifier) in ‘Pot 2’ position for the FIFA World Cup draw to be held in Washington DC on 5 December.
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Perhaps just as significantly, the Socceroos also sit within striking distance of 23rd placed Ecuador and 22nd ranked Korea.
Victory over 16th ranked USA would be a major boost to Australia’s chances of finishing inside the top 24 rankings, a result that would mean Tony Popovic’s side would likely face just one higher ranked team in the group stage of next year’s World Cup.
However falling to 25th or lower would make for a considerably harder road to the second phase of the 48-team tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on 11 June 2026 with matches to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
All three host nations will be drawn in Pot 1 for the draw regardless of their FIFA rankings.