• Dominic Bossi

Western Sydney Wanderers match against Wellington Phoenix has been postponed just two days before game day due to the poor state of the pitch posing significant player safety concerns.

• Dominic Bossi

The current Socceroos may not have the star power of the golden generation of 2006 but the team that will fly Australia's flag in Russia will be one that grew up in our own backyard.

• Michael Lynch

If Tim Cahill's suggestion that he might leave Melbourne City to ensure more game time in the run up to the World Cup was an attempt to hold a gun to City boss Warren Joyce's head, it is having little effect.

• ANALYSIS
• Michael Lynch

World Cup qualification has been an odyssey for the Socceroos, a journey of faltering fortunes, raised expectations, dashed hopes and, finally, deliverance through the aegis of unlikely hat-trick scorer Mile Jedinak.

• Dominic Bossi

Within 48 hours of the World Cup draw, the Socceroos will know everything from their training base, travel plans and warm-up games.

• UPDATED

Peru became the last side to clinch their place at next year's World Cup finals when goals in each half from Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos gave them a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the second leg of their inter-confederation playoff.

• UPDATED
• Michael Lynch

Melbourne City's Matildas number one goalkeeper Lydia Williams will miss the opening match of Australia's two game series against China due to personal reasons, paving the way for shot stopper Mackenzie Arnold to add to her 14 caps or Eliza Campbell to make her international debut.

• Dominic Bossi

A meeting with Football Federation Australia's chairman and chief executive will determine whether Ange Postecoglou will remain in charge of the national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia with the Socceroos coach still no closer to revealing his future

• Dominic Bossi

Tim Cahill says there was no more fitting end to their gruelling World Cup qualifying campaign than a hat-trick for their inspirational captain Mile Jedinak, praising the leadership and influence of the defensive midfielder.

Gian Piero Ventura has left his role as Italy's national team coach two days after the side failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

• Emma Kemp

Tim Cahill has cast doubt over his future with Melbourne City, suggesting he will walk if he can't get regular A-League football in the lead-up to next year's World Cup.

• Dominic Bossi

It's required 22 games, taken 29 months and over 250,000 kilometres but Australia has finally reached their final destination, booking their place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

• Michael Lynch

 Triumphant Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou is a self-declared outsider, believing he is derided by some because he lacks a decorated playing career for the national side.

• ANALYSIS
• Michael Lynch

The Socceroos' expedition to Russia tested the team's character and adaptability, a trek which has forced its indefatigable band of travelling supporters to run through a gamut of emotions:

• Matt Bungard

How the Australian players rated in their second leg clash with Honduras.

• Jason Horowitz

Many tragedies have befallen Italy in the past 60 years. Dozens of governments have collapsed. Earthquakes and terrorism have shaken cities. The French started adding cream to carbonara.

• Matt Bungard

Follow live as Australia attempt to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Tim Cahill has been charged with scoring the goals to get Australia to the World Cup by coach Ange Postecoglou.

• Lorenzo Totaro

Italy's failure to qualify for the soccer World Cup finals for the first time in 60 years may cost the country about €1 billion euros ($1.5 billion), the former chairman of the national federation said.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen got a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Ireland in their play-off second leg on Tuesday to help secure the final European berth at next year's World Cup.

Argentina's Sergio Aguero was taken to a hospital for checks after he fainted during halftime of the team's friendly match against Nigeria.

• Michael Lynch

Italy's shock elimination from the 2018 World Cup finals by Sweden on Tuesday morning is a salutary lesson for all in the most competitive sport on the planet: there are no guarantees for anyone.

• Dominic Bossi and Michael Lynch

Likely teams, key players, the contest to look out for: everything you need to know ahead of Australia's play-off against Honduras.

• Dominic Bossi

A year ago, Matt Jurman was focusing on playing in the A-League. On Wednesday, he will be part of a thin wall standing between Honduras and a World Cup berth.

• Michael Lynch

Forget "La Tumba" - the Socceroos' home record is more imposing than anything Honduras offer.

• Dominic Bossi

If Honduras are to have any hope of progressing past Australia to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia, much will depend upon their answer to Tim Cahill.

• Michael Lynch

With Australia's World Cup future on the line, Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou says his confidence in his players is as strong as it has ever been.

• Dominic Bossi

A boy and his father playing with a new toy may have caused an international sporting furore between Australian and Honduras after allegations of spying surfaced when a drone was spotted at Olympic Park.

• Matt Bungard

Unsurprisingly, the football world wasn't exactly full of sympathy for Italy after their 1-0 aggregate loss to Sweden, as they came to terms with a 2018 World Cup that will now not feature Italy, USA, Chile or the Netherlands, among other big names.