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AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

Understrength Japan out to show Socceroos who's boss

Socceroos Japan Kaoru Mitoma Hajime Moriyasu Wataru Endo World Cup Australia Celtic

Japan have boldly declared they want to win the 2026 World Cup, and they've signalled their intent to use Thursday night's match against the Socceroos to show off their enviable depth. 

While Japan have already secured their spot for the showpiece event, Australia still have work to do.

If the Socceroos (13 points) fail to beat Japan at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, their hopes of automatic qualification could rest on the result of next Tuesday's clash with Saudi Arabia (10 points) in Jeddah.

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