Australia and Saudi Arabia have drawn 0-0 in Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Melbourne. While there was late drama there was little quality on display on Thursday.

The top two teams in Group C secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth place go into the next round of qualifying. It only magnifies the importance of Thursday night’s crunch clash with the Saudis at AAMI Park, then the away match against Bahrain four days later in Riffa.

The third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers continues to provide nail-biting clashes with Saudi Arabia holding Australia to a goalless draw on return of its coach Herve Renard.

Australia and Saudi Arabia play a crucial World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on Thursday while Japan and South Korea can take a huge step towards North America in 2026 in the third round of Asian qualif

Australia and Saudi Arabia meet in Melbourne on Thursday night in a crucial World Cup qualification match. Both sides are level on five points in their group, with Australia holding a slightly better goal differential. ABC Sport will be live blogging the World Cup qualifier between Australia and Saudi Arabia from 7pm AEDT.

Costly missed chances could come back to haunt the Socceroos, but Saudi Arabia felt equally aggrieved after they were denied an injury-time winner in a dramatic scoreless draw in Melbourne.

The Socceroos have been held to a 0-0 home draw by Saudi Arabia, leaving their hopes of direct World Cup qualification still hanging in the balance.

The Socceroos face their most important World Cup qualifier when they host Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. A win could put them in the box seat to qualify for the tournament automatically.