Australia and Japan faced off in an intense FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian zone qualifier match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Japan denying Australia a historic victory. Shogo Taniguchi’s own goal gave Australia the lead just before the hour mark, but Cameron Burgess’s own goal leveled the score for Japan.
Despite their best efforts, Australia had never managed to beat Japan on Japanese soil. The game was attended by almost 60,000 spectators and was filled with exciting moments. Japan, with a perfect record of three wins in the tournament so far, managed to keep their lead in Group C with 10 points from four games, while Australia moved to five points under new coach Tony Popovic.
Both teams made significant lineup changes for the match, with Popovic giving Luke Brattan his first cap at the age of 34. Japan’s usual captain, Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, was missing from the squad and was replaced by Hidemasa Morita as captain. The game saw Takefusa Kubo causing problems for Australia down the right wing, with Japan dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances in the first half.
The second half saw a dramatic turn of events, with Taniguchi’s own goal giving Australia the lead before Burgess’s own goal equalized the score for Japan. Despite Japan’s late efforts to secure a win, Australia’s defense held firm and secured a crucial point in the tournament. Australia’s last victory over Japan dates back to 2009 in Melbourne, highlighting the significance of this draw in the World Cup qualifiers.
Overall, the match between Japan and Australia was filled with excitement and tension, providing fans with an entertaining spectacle. Both teams put on a strong display of skill and determination, showcasing their abilities on the world stage. With the tournament still ongoing, it remains to be seen how both teams will fare in the remaining games and whether they will secure a spot in the World Cup 2026. The draw between Japan and Australia serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the thrilling moments it can bring to fans around the world.
