Arnold: A-League clubs shouldn’t have dividends reduced, Socceroos’ target is to top World Cup qualifying group

On July 4, Australia national team coach Graham Arnold expressed deep concern about the current state of the A-League. He warned that the success of the national team directly depends on the health and prosperity of the domestic league, urging league administrators not to compromise club development due to financial constraints.

Arnold voiced his worry over reports that A-League clubs’ dividends have been slashed to just AUD 530,000, significantly lower than the nearly AUD 2 million distributed in the previous season and a far cry from the AUD 3.6 million in 2018. He emphasized that while the league is attempting to recover from past overspending-induced financial difficulties, cost-cutting measures should not come at the expense of clubs’ growth potential.

“The domestic league is crucial for both the Socceroos and the Matildas,” Arnold said. “The foundation of our national teams’ strength lies in the strength of our domestic competition. We are on par with other regions at the youth level, but during the critical age range of 17 to 21, our young players need more support and nurturing.”

Meanwhile, Arnold remains confident in the national team’s performance in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With powerhouse Japan and Saudi Arabia in their group, often referred to as a “group of death,” Arnold asserts that the team’s objective remains unchanged.

“Japan is ranked 16th in the world, but we’re not too far behind,” Arnold commented. “We must approach with confidence and determination, and the players know my expectations. Our goal is to finish first in the group, which is why we participate in the qualifiers.”

The Socceroos will compete in 10 qualifying matches between September 2024 and June 2025 for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The top two teams from each group will advance directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. Should they not secure direct qualification, Australia would enter into playoff matches against teams from other confederations.