Australia head coach Graham Arnold has released a 29-man squad for the World Cup 2022 qualifying playoff clash with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Peru potentially. The target is for Australia to pick one of the final three slots available for the World Cup 2022 tournament on Qatari soil thus making it five World Cup appearances in a row. The Australians qualified for the last four World Cup tournaments and they can make it five successive World Cup tournaments if they see off the UAE and Peru to book their place at the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Arnold, his coaching staffs and the invited players would arrive in Doha, Qatar over the next few days as they step up preparation for the playoff clash with UAE from the Asian section. Australia qualified for the playoff after finishing third in Group B as far as the final round of qualifiers in the Asian region is concerned. On their part, the UAE finished third in Group A thereby making it to the playoff.

Australia will need to see off UAE in their Asian playoff tie before facing Peru in the inter-confederation playoff tie for the World Cup 2022 tournament. The Australians will take on the UAE at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar on June 7 before facing Peru six days later at the same venue if they see off UAE. The winner will then join France, Denmark and Tunisia at the main tournament in Qatar later this year.

Eintracht Frankfurt starAjdinHrusticheadlines the 29-man Australia squad for the World Cup playoffs after helping his German club win the Europa League via the penalty shootout win over Rangers. Ex-Manchester United and Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy has also been named as part of the squad.