Sports Mole previews Thursday’s World Cup Qualifying – Asia clash between Bangladesh and Australia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Already with a five-point lead at the top of Group I, Australia play their fifth World Cup qualifying fixture on Thursday, meeting winless Bangladesh in Dhaka.
The Socceroos visit Bashundhara Kings Arena after back-to-back wins over Lebanon, and are well on their way to the 2026 finals; their hosts are essentially playing only for pride.
Match preview
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Four wins from four have helped Australia guarantee their top-two finish in Group I with two games remaining, and a place in the next round of Asian World Cup qualifying already awaits.
Having received a bye of through the first phase, Graham Arnold‘s squad began their bid to reach a sixth straight global finals with a 7-0 thrashing of Bangladesh and a more closely contested 1-0 away win over Palestine.
After tasting disappointment at the Asian Cup, where they were eliminated by South Korea in the quarter-finals, the Socceroos resumed their qualifying campaign in March, with a double-header against Lebanon.
Australia first beat the Cedars 2-0 in Sydney, then proceeded to go up a gear in Canberra, as Craig Goodwin struck twice during a comfortable 5-0 victory.
Yet to concede, and with 15 goals on the board so far, Arnold’s side are therefore assured of making the third round, and as AFC nations have been allocated eight direct qualifying slots – plus one playoff place – reaching World Cup 2026 should be a formality.
Walking out onto such a stage remains the stuff of dreams for Bangladesh, however, as the South Asian minnows are rock-bottom of Group I with just one point to their name thus far.
After their hammering by Australia, the Bengal Tigers managed to hold Lebanon to a 1-1 draw in November, with Shekh Morsalin finding the net to level the scores on 72 minutes.
In March, though, Javier Cabrera‘s team lost 5-0 to Palestine in Kuwait, before the same opponents stole a late 1-0 win in Dhaka five days later.
Of course, Bangladesh have never appeared at a World Cup – and their only Asian Cup came back in 1980 – so simply avoiding heavy defeat on Thursday would represent an acceptable result for a nation placed 184th in FIFA’s world rankings.
Bangladesh World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Australia World Cup Qualifying – Asia form:
Australia form (all competitions):
Team News
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With Australia having already sewn up progression to round three, Graham Arnold has called up Bayern Munich-bound teenager Nestory Irankunda for the first time – the 18-year-old winger is also eligible to represent both Burundi and Tanzania.
Ex-Celtic forward Daniel Arzani, now impressing for Melbourne Victory in the A-League, has also been included in Arnold’s 25-man squad and could win his first cap for almost six years.
Alessandro Circati returns after being left out of the Soceroos’ Asian Cup squad, having played a part in Parma’s recent crowning as Serie B champions.
Captain Mat Ryan is rested this month, so Joe Gauci is favourite to start in goal; Craig Goodwin, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill and Marco Tilio are all sidelined by injury.
Meanwhile, Denmark-born midfielder Jamal Bhuyan captains Bangladesh, building on his national record total of 83 international appearances.
Experienced centre-back Topu Barman helms the hosts’ defence, while his Bashundhara Kings teammate Rakib Hossain is set to start up front.
Bangladesh possible starting lineup:
Marma; Ghosh, Barman, S. Hossain, Uddin; Ridoy, Bhuyan, Rana; Morsalin, R. Hossain, Jony
Australia possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Strain, Souttar, Circati, Behich; Metcalfe, Baccus, Irvine, Arzani; Yengi, Taggart
We say: Bangladesh 0-4 Australia
Sitting 160 places above Bangladesh in the FIFA rankings, Australia can expect to wrap up top spot in Group I with the minimum of fuss.
The Socceroos scored seven times in November’s reverse fixture, but as they are already qualified and may field an unfamiliar lineup, the outcome could be a little less spectacular in Dhaka.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
