FIFA considering World Cup playoff switch for Australia
Socceroos could be denied a sold-out home World Cup qualifying playoff match under a shift considered by FIFA.
The Newzealand Herald reports football’s world governing body is considering switching its two-legged inter-confederation playoffs to a single winner-takes-all affair, possibly staged in Qatar, hosts of the 2022 tournament.
That could mean Australia’s World Cup fate is decided in an empty overseas stadium and in the dead of night, making for tough viewing.
Australia has twice needed the inter-confederation playoffs to win through to the World Cup in its last four appearances.
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In 2005, the Socceroos ended a 32-year World Cup drought by beating Uruguay on penalties after a two-legged playoff, and in 2017 Mile Jedinak’s hat-trick saw Australia past Honduras en route to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.
On both occasions more than 77,000 people packed into Homebush Stadium for the final leg, providing the final push for Australia’s qualifying effort.
After losing playoffs to Uruguay (2001), Iran (1997), Argentina (1993) and Scotland (1985), Australia could be forced into another inter-confederation playoff next year to reach Qatar.
Graham Arnold’s side currently sit third in their qualifying group.
If the Socceroos remain there they will play the third-placed team from the other Asian qualifying pool, with the winner progressing to the final playoff.
The NZ Herald says COVID-enforced travel issues and fixture congestion is behind the push.
The proposal is unlikely to be welcomed by Football Australia.
Given limited success at World Cup finals, the home playoff legs against Uruguay and Honduras are two of the most memorable occasions in Australian football history.
The playoff also brings bumper pay-days for hosting countries.
The four nations in the playoffs will come from the Asia, Oceania, North/Central America and South America, with the duelling confederations to be confirmed by FIFA this month.
The playoffs are scheduled for June next year ahead of the November-December tournament.