Our History against Bahrain

The Socceroos begin their FIFA World Cup 2026™ - AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Third Round campaign against Bahrain on the Gold Coast in September.

This will be our seventh encounter against the Pearl Divers and second this year having played a friendly match in January as a final warm-up match before the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Moreover, it will be the first time since the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010™ qualification where Bahrain and Australia will face off.

The match will be live and free on Australia's home of football, Network 10, as well as 10 Play and Paramount+.

Head-to-head

Played: 6
Wins: 6
Draws: 0
Losses: 0

2006 | 3-1 win | AFC Asian Cup Qualifier

Australia's start to its opening AFC Asian Cup 2007™ qualifying match did not go to plan after trailing 1-0 at half-time at the Bahrain National Stadium. However, a second-half fightback turned the tide with Archie Thompson, Josip Skoko and an Ahmad Elrich penalty helping seal a 3-1 triumph away from home.

2006 | 2-0 win | AFC Asian Cup Qualifier

Two goals in six minutes was enough to beat Bahrain and finish top of Group D in the reverse fixture. John Aloisi's close-range finish put the hosts ahead from Mark Bresciano's assist on 17 minutes at the Sydney Football Stadium and after turning provider, the creative midfielder had a goal of his own courtesy of a spectacular acrobatic volley six minutes later to double the advantage.

2008 | 1-0 win | FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Australia's second AFC Fourth Round Group A FIFA World Cup 2010™ qualifying game saw the Green and Gold snatch all three points with the last kick of the game. Mark Schwarzer sent a long ball forward and the Bahranian defence was unable to clear their lines allowing Mark Bresciano to capitalise dribbling forward and dispatching an emphatic finish beyond the goalkeeper.

2009 | 2-0 win | FIFA World Cup Qualifier

The Aussies' stellar qualifying campaign on their journey to South Africa 2010 continued in the corresponding fixture in June 2009. In its penultimate qualifying clash, Australia recorded a solid 2-0 victory at Stadium Australia, thanks to second-half goals from Mile Sterjovski and David Carney. After defeating Japan a week later, the Subway Socceroos ultimately clinched first place ahead of the Samurai Blue.

2011 | 1-0 win | AFC Asian Cup

Australia's final group match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ saw them needing to win in order to have a chance of topping its group ahead of Korea Republic. After scoring the equaliser against the Korea Republic in a 1-1 stalemate, it was Mile Jedinak who stepped up. The midfielder pounced on the lose ball from midfield and expertly arrowed a low drive which bounced into the bottom far corner as the Aussies prevailed 1-0 to claim top spot on goal difference.

2024 | 2-0 win | International Friendly

The Aussies faced Bahrain in Abu Dhabi as final preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ and lagely controlled proceedings as they secured a 2-0 win. Craig Goodwin's inviting cross was inadvertently turned home by Amine Benaddi just beyond the half hour mark for an own goal. Goodwin was also heavily involved in the second goal which saw Mitch Duke make sure of the victory in the second stanza. Gethin Jones, on debut, made a foraging run into the box before laying a pass back to Aiden O'Neill who swung in a deep delivery for Goodwin to nod across the face of goal for a simple header for the striker.

Match Details

Australia v Bahrain
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 8:00pm AEST
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Broadcast: 10, Paramount+

Subway Socceroos’ AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road To 26 – Group C Fixtures*

September 2024 FIFA Men’s International Window

MD1: Subway Socceroos v Bahrain – Thursday, 5 September at Robina Stadium
MD2: Indonesia v Subway Socceroos – Tuesday, 10 September

October 2024 FIFA Men’s International Window

MD3: Subway Socceroos v China PR – Thursday, 10 October
MD4: Japan v Subway Socceroos – Tuesday, 15 October

November 2024 FIFA Men’s International Window

MD5: Subway Socceroos v Saudi Arabia – Thursday, 14 November
MD6: Bahrain v Subway Socceroos – Tuesday, 19 November

March 2025 FIFA Men’s International Window

MD7: Subway Socceroos v Indonesia – Thursday, 20 March
MD8: China PR v Subway Socceroos – Tuesday, 25 March

June 2025 FIFA Men’s International Window

MD9: Subway Socceroos v Japan – Thursday, 5 June
MD10: Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos – Tuesday, 10 June

*Venue and kick-off times for all fixtures are still TBC.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ – ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND 3 – GROUPS: