FIFA puts qualifiers on hold

THE Socceroos’ packed 2020 fixture schedule has got a lot busier with the decision to postpone upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA has announced that the March and June qualifiers across Asia would be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Socceroos’ scheduled games against Kuwait and Nepal in March, as well as June home games against Taiwan and Jordan, will be played at a later date.

With the Socceroos to play at this year’s Copa America and the Olyroos qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, Australia’s international calendar is one of the busiest in its history.

FIFA’s decision provided some respite for coach Graham Arnold, given he was facing a short turnaround between June’s qualifiers and the Socceroos’ opening Copa America fixture on June 14 but Australia’s commitment to the South American continental championship and the Olympics leaves little room for the postponed matches to be rescheduled.

If the coronavirus situation has been resolved by the middle of the year, Australia could play their postponed qualifiers in July or August, but it would leave playing talent spread across multiple fronts.

Waiting until FIFA windows in October or November would mean the third stage of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would not get under way until March 2021.

FIFA’s decision to postpone the games includes a provision for matches to be played if both nations agree and health and safety standards are met.

Yesterday, however, Football Federation Australia ruled out seeking any provision to have their March or June qualifiers played as scheduled.