New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- Having already conformed their places in the 2026 FIFA world Cup, Australia are locking horns against New Zealand in Canberra on Friday in an international friendly. This is a part of the two-match series with the next game to be played in Auckland next week.

Australia have been a different side after the arrival of Tony Popovic last September. Under Popovic, the Australians won five and drew three games to finish second behind Japan in Group C of the qualifiers and earn an automatic spot in the next year's tournament in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Australia's best-ever finish in a FIFA World Cup came in 2006 and 2022, when they reached the pre-quarterfinals. Post the two-match series against New Zealand Australia will...