Socceroos set for Asian Cup reunion with Graham Arnold

Ian Chadband | May 10, 2026

The Socceroos have been handed a challenging reunion with Graham Arnold after being drawn against their former boss’s World Cup-bound charges Iraq in the draw for the 2027 Asian Cup.

Tony Popovic’s side will also face Tajikistan and Singapore in group D at the event in Saudi Arabia next January following Saturday’s draw at the At-Turaif World Heritage Site in Riyadh.

Australia, the world No.27 outfit who are comfortably the highest-ranked side in their group, will open up against No.147 Singapore on January 9, before facing 57th-ranked Iraq on January 14 and No.103 Tajikistan on January 19.

The Socceroos, out to regain the trophy they last won in 2015 under Ange Postecoglou, had been one of the top-ranked pot 1 sides after finishing top of their group in the second round of AFC qualification for the World Cup.

But they’ll face a testing challenge against Iraq, the team now guided by the 62-year-old Arnold, who inspired the Socceroos to the last-16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Arnold has subsequently become feted in Iraq for steering the 2007 Asian Cup winners back to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, after they defeated Bolivia in a playoff in Mexico in March.

In a statement issued by Football Australia, Popovic, who took over from Arnold after his resignation in 2024, said: “We are delighted to now have clarity on our group opponents.

“It is a competition that holds an important place in Australian football history, following our success in 2015, and one we will approach with great ambition and respect.

“Our immediate focus remains on the FIFA World Cup 2026, and ensuring we are fully prepared for that challenge. But we have always had one eye on the future, with the Asian Cup following just six months later.

“Singapore, Tajikistan and Iraq are all strong opponents that we know and respect, and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”

In the 24-team tournament to be played from January 7 to February 5 across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar, four-time winners Japan have been grouped with defending champions Qatar.

The draw had originally ben set for April 11 but was postponed because of the conflict in the Middle East. The final field isn’t yet complete with the Lebanon-Yemen match postponed to June.

Australia will have to qualify among the top-two in their group to guarantee qualification, but could also progress to the round-of-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Full AFC Asian Cup 2027 draw: 

Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine

Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan

Group C: IR Iran, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, China PR

Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore

Group E: Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Lebanon or Yemen

Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia