Under-fire Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold will remain at the helm for the remainder of Australia's World Cup campaign, Football Australia confirmed on Thursday.
The announcement comes amid heavy speculation over Arnold's future after the Socceroos failed to secure automatic qualification to Qatar 2022.
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Having finished third in Group B of AFC qualifying, Australia will now have to playoff against the third-placed team from Group A, the United Arab Emirates, in Qatar on June 7. The winners then advance to an intercontinental playoff against Peru for a place at the World Cup.
"The Board of Football Australia believed it was important that we provided a stable environment and to get on with planning for the playoff phase given the very short turn-around," chair of Football Australia, Chris Nikou said in a statement.
"By confirming that Graham will remain head coach of the Socceroos until the completion of our FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign, it enables Graham, his support staff and the playing group to move forward with certainty, and without delay, to ensure the best possible preparation for the next phase of qualification."
Tuesday's 1-0 defeat against group-winners Saudi Arabia means that Arnold's side has won one of their last seven matches, a lone triumph over last-placed Vietnam.
"Graham has Football Australia's support and after nearly four years in the role, still has the opportunity to finish the job he was appointed to in 2018 and see through his commitment to the national team," CEO of Football Australia James Johnson said.
