Australia vs Bahrain Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | Group C
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Australia head into this opening Group C encounter as huge favourites to overcome Bahrain and get off to a winning start in the third round of these AFC FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: UK – 11:10am / US ET – 6:10am / US PT – 3:10am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
AUSTRALIA PREVIEW: SOCCEROOS WELL-PLACED FOR FURTHER SUCCESS
Each of the last six times Australia have faced Bahrain, the Socceroos have come out on top and anything less than the same outcome here would be seen as a big shock. Graham Arnold’s side have won each of their last four competitive fixtures and confidence will no doubt be high among the camp following their performance across the second round of AFC FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Competing in Group I, Australia topped the group with a perfect record of six wins from six without conceding, racking up a whopping 22 goals themselves. They’ll need to show the same efficiency in the third round, which has seen them placed in the same group as strong teams like Japan and Saudi Arabia.
BAHRAIN PREVIEW: UNDERDOGS WITH LITTLE TO LOSE AHEAD OF THIS ONE
Bahrain will know the size of their task here in Australia and getting anything from this encounter would be a brilliant result from their perspective. However, they can take heart from a four-match unbeaten streak leading into this international break and a backline that conceded just three goals in the previous round of qualifiers.
However, Bahrain are yet to gain anything from Australia in past fixtures and not many expect that to change on this occasion. But whilst their Group C campaign won’t be determined by results from matches such as this, to gain even a point would be a historic outcome.
AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS: MILLER OUT OF BAHRAIN GAME
Despite being called into the squad, defender Lewis Miller will miss this particular encounter. Sam Silvera could start after being handed a first call-up since last March, whilst newly appointed Standard Liege captain Aiden O’Neill could play in midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Rowles, Souttar, Burgess, Behich; Metcalfe, O’Neill, Irvine; Silvera, Taggart, Goodwin
UNAVAILABLE: Miller (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BAHRAIN TEAM NEWS: ABDULJABBAR THE ONE TO WATCH UP TOP
Bahrain will likely try and get the ball to striker Mahdi Abduljabbar whenever they can, well aware of his goalscoring ability. He is likely to be partnered by Al-Riffa’s Ali Madan in a bid to provide Abduljabbar with some much-needed support.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Lutfalla; Saeed, Al-Hayyam, Baqer, Adel; Al-Aswad, Haram, Marhoon, Al-Shaikh; Madan, Abduljabbar
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
AUSTRALIA VS BAHRAIN PREDICTION
When assessing both of these squads, the difference is fairly stark. Australia seems well-stocked across all positions, boasting significant strength-in-depth not to mention quality in key areas of the pitch. Whilst Bahrain obviously can’t be taken lightly and their defensive record in the second round of qualifiers is testament to that, they are yet to face a team of Australia’s ability going forward. Expect the Socceroos to maintain their excellent vein of form by dominating and ultimately winning a fifth game in a row, doing so by at least three clear goals.
AUSTRALIA VS BAHRAIN TIP: AUSTRALIA TO WIN WITH -2 HANDICAP
