Australia secured a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday, ending the Green Falcons’ hopes of automatic qualification.With both teams eyeing the second spot in Group C,

FIFA took another Saudi Arabian investment Thursday for the U.S.-hosted Club World Cup, announcing a commercial deal with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.

Australia qualified for its sixth straight World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos, needing just to avoid defeat by five goals to advance to the 2026 tournament, came from behind with goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke to win after Abdulrahman Al Oboud had put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes.

In principle there ought to be nothing particularly contentious about a competition to decide the best club side in the world. Between 1960 and 2004 the champions of Europe and South America faced off for bragging rights,

Aboud's 19th-minute goal was offset by strikes on either side of half-time from Connor Metcalfe (42nd minute) and Mitch Duke (48th), as Australia sealed a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah,

Soccer's governing body FIFA and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a partnership on Wednesday for the Club World Cup, which kicks off in the U.S. on June 14.