The Socceroos are set to face Japan on Thursday in a crucial Asian Qualifier game that could determine their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

occeroos face Japan in crucial qualifier. Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay

After winning their last two games, the Socceroos are set to verse Japan at the Optus Stadium with their star lineup, and comradery and team-bonding being in their plan to success, according to Socceroos goalkeeper Matthew Ryan.

“In my eyes, we’re the best [team] in Asia. If you don’t believe you’re the best, then you’re falling at the first hurdle.”

He goes on to say the team is feeling excited and ready for their upcoming game on Thursday.

The team has had many causes for celebration this year, with the ten-year anniversary in January of their win at the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 and also celebrating their 50-year anniversary of the team this month.

With a lot of pressure on the team to perform, the game is set to have large social and cultural impacts on the Australian sporting community, considering the rise in popularity of the Matildas over the past few years.

Western Sydney University Professor David Rowe said that it is Australian’s expectation for the Socceroos to get into the FIFA World Cup, especially since the recent expansion of the number of countries allowed to enter the qualification round, from 32 to over 200 in 2002.

All levels of the game will benefit from the Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup – Source: Flickr images copyright

“It’s really important for the ecology of the game and the health of the game, both men’s and women’s, to get into the World Cup,

[The Socceroos] would much rather get in the first time,” he said.

Rowe continued on to say that it’s important for the lower levels, down to grassroots as well as all the way up to the men’s and women’s top leagues to do well for this reason.

Paramount and Channel 10 will livestream the game at 7pm AWST, however there are still a number of tickets available via Ticketmaster.