The international suspension of the Iraqi Football Association was provisionally lifted by FIFA on Thursday.
Hosts Australia swept into the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in some style on Tuesday with a 4-0 hammering of Oman at Stadium Australia that ensured South Korea would go through from Group A with them.
Australia had one foot in next year's World Cup finals in South Africa after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 on Wednesday, while South Korea scored a late winner to down rivals North Korea 1-0 and wrestle back their Group Two lead.
Australia shook off a nervous start and an early goal before trampling over Kuwait 4-1 to kick off their home Asian Cup football tournament in emphatic style in Melbourne on Friday.
As the country gets set to celebrate its 74th Independence Day on Saturday, India football team goalkeeper and Arjuna awardee Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wished fans across the world and stated that playing for the country "is a feeling like no other".
Harry Kewell scored just after halftime to give Australia a 1-0 win over Iraq in their 2010 World Cup qualifier in Brisbane on Sunday. The former Liverpool player was in outstanding form and was at the heart of most of the Socceroos' goal-scoring chances until being replaced with 13 minutes to go.
Yuji Nakazawa blasted in the decisive spot-kick to lift Japan to a 4-3 victory over Australia on penalties and reach the Asian Cup football semi-finals on Saturday.
- Iraq pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset win over Australia at the Asian Cup on Friday to leave the tournament favourites in danger of an embarrassing early exit.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Mathew Ryan asked his family if anyone wanted to come and watch him play in the World Cup in Russia, there was an enthusiastic response - from 27 of them.
The Aussies say the Brazilian ace is the player most capable of ruining their World Cup dream.
Striker Antoine Griezmann lashed home the historic spot kick in the 58th minute but Australia hit back with a penalty of their own when Samuel Umtiti inexplicably handled the ball in the box four minutes later.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised to Australian fans over the dubious penalty that knocked the Socceroos out of the World Cup in Germany.
The Juventus 'keeper brought off some splendid saves to thwart the Aussies.
The 30-year-old Middlesbrough forward was named captain of the Socceroos by coach Guus Hiddink
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Tim Cahill would love nothing better than to join the select company of Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose by finding the net in a fourth World Cup over the next few weeks but first the Australian actually needs to get on the pitch.
Images and a round-up of all the World Cup qualifiers played across continents on Tuesday.
Denmark coach Age Hareide admitted his side were fortunate to have four points from their first two World Cup Group C matches after a 1-1 draw with Australia in Samara on Thursday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Australia have concerns over security at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil because of the civil unrest in the South American country, Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop said on Tuesday.
Images and summary of all the World Cup 2022 qualifiers played across continents on Tuesday.
Kerala Blasters and Sachin Tendulkar may have parted ways but the cricket legend will always remain an intrinsic part of the club, coach David James said on Friday.
Forced to play their home matches in Malaysia due to security concerns, Syria had fallen behind when Robbie Kruse tapped in from close range in the first half but the underdogs refused to buckle to their vastly more experienced opponents.
Summary of World Cup qualifiers played across the world on Thursday
Substitute Lukas Podolski grabbed an 81st-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw for 2014 World Cup winners Germany in an entertaining friendly.
Croatia gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the World Cup knock-out phase when they thrashed a toothless Cameroon 4-0 on Wednesday.
With the world watching him in a World Cup opener against Iceland, the normally brilliant Messi struck a weak spot-kick that was saved, leaving Argentina with a disappointing 1-1 draw.
South Korea squandered a chance to book their spot at next year's World Cup finals on Thursday after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Iran left their qualification hopes precariously balanced.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter often talks about being the head of the "football family" but if the boos that greeted his appearance at the Asian Cup final on Saturday are anything to go by, he is not too popular with his Australian cousins.
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