Australia beat China 2-0 to take step nearer to World Cup

China's World Cup hopes fade after home defeat to Australia

China suffered a 2-0 home loss to Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifier game at home in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Tuesday, leaving their chance of securing a spot at the tournament next year

Australia beat China 2-0 to take step nearer to World Cup

HANZHOU, China: Australia took a step closer to automatic World Cup qualification with a comfortable 2-0 victory over China in Hangzhou on Tuesday. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

AFC FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Australia beats China 2-0 to take step closer to direct qualification

The away win, hot on the heels of their 5-1 win over Indonesia last week, leaves the Socceroos second in Group C on 13 points with two to play, three points ahead of Saudi Arabia with a much better goal difference.

Socceroos secure back-to-back wins

The Socceroos are within sight of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification after a 2-0 win over China in Hangzhou.

Irvine leads Socceroos to qualifying win over China

Australia has claimed a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over China to take a further step towards next year's tournament in North America.

World Cup qualifiers 2025 LIVE: Socceroos take on China in front of huge crowd in Hangzhou

Australia’s direct qualification hopes for next year’s World Cup rely on a victory over Team Dragon on Tuesday night in front of one of the biggest crowds in Socceroos history. Follow the action live from 10pm AEDT.