Australia vs Japan Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)

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Australia enjoyed a couple of impressive victories to give themselves a real chance of automatic 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification from the third round as they now take on a strong Japan side.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

• Japan are unbeaten in the last ten international matches between these teams (W6 D4). Since a 2-1 home win for Australia in World Cup qualifying in June 2009.
• Australia have lost only one of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches (W10 D5).
• Australia have lost only two of their last 21 international matches (W14 D5).
• Japan are unbeaten in their last 20 World Cup qualifying matches (17 D3). Since a 0-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in October 2021.
• Japan last conceded more than one goal in a World Cup qualifying match in a 1-2 defeat against the United Arab Emirates in September 2016.
• Japan have lost only two of their last 27 international matches (W23 D2).
• Japan have kept 16 clean sheets in their last 19 World Cup qualifying matches.

Australia vs Japan Prediction

Australia, who reached the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, have been struggling for a while with just one win in their opening six matches of this stage of qualifying but Tony Popovic’s first two games in charge, replacing Graham Arnold, saw them defeat both Indonesia and then China during the March international break.

They now face a Japan side that have been impressive in their opening eight games with six victories and two draws. The Blue Samurai have been magnificent throughout the last few months and the Japanese have an excellent, developing squad. They were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia in their most recent outing.

Australia will fancy their chances of avoiding defeat at the Optus Stadium in Perth – and that would be enough to keep things in their hands ahead of the final game of the third round.

Australia vs Japan Tip: Double chance – Australia to win or draw