Australia’s Socceroos coach, Graham Arnold, is set to make history as his team begins qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With a match against Bangladesh on Thursday, Arnold will surpass the Australian coaching record with 59 ‘A’ international matches, previously held by his friend and former Socceroos teammate, Frank Farina. Arnold led the Socceroos to their best World Cup performance in Qatar last year, where they achieved two wins and reached the round of 16. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America, is expected to be much easier compared to the challenges faced during the pandemic-affected Qatar qualifiers.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Australia to play many of their home qualifiers abroad, and they only secured a spot in the Qatar finals through playoffs. However, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers should be a cakewalk for the Socceroos, with eight Asian teams able to qualify directly, double the number allocated for Qatar. Despite the retirements of several experienced players, Arnold aims to take Australia to their second consecutive World Cup and regenerate the squad with new talent.
Arnold acknowledges the ever-changing nature of national team football and the need to have alternative plans. He highlights that 17 players from the Qatar squad are not present for the 2026 qualifiers, emphasizing the fast-paced nature of the game. Arnold has firsthand experience of dealing with unexpected challenges, as he was part of four unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaigns as a player in the 1980s and ’90s.
In his first stint as coach, Arnold was unable to replicate the success of his predecessor, Guus Hiddink, as the Socceroos exited the 2007 Asian Cup in the quarter-finals. However, his return in 2018 carried more weight due to his achievements as a coach in domestic championships. Arnold’s confidence sometimes got the best of him, as he boldly stated that Australia would win every match in the 2019 Asian Cup. However, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by the hosts, the United Arab Emirates.
Looking ahead, Arnold has another opportunity to prove himself at the next Asian Cup in Qatar, beginning in January. Despite the lack of players in top European leagues, he believes in the heart and determination of his squad, referring to it as Aussie DNA. Arnold hopes to uncover some hidden gems before the next World Cup, but if not, he will continue to emphasize the team’s resilience and grit, qualities that garnered acclaim in Qatar.
Overall, Graham Arnold’s upcoming 59th ‘A’ international match solidifies his position as Australia’s most successful coach. With his sights set on leading the Socceroos to a second consecutive World Cup appearance in 2026, Arnold faces the challenge of regenerating the squad and maintaining their success on the international stage.
