Kuwait has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Palestine on 21 November.

With Palestine unable to host the match due to the current situation in the region, the Asian Football Confederation requested that the second round of the qualifiers be played at a neutral venue.

The AFC has accepted a request from the Palestine Football Association for the match to be played at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

Graham Arnold’s Socceroos will play a qualifier against Bangladesh at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Thursday before heading to Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Melbourne City host Thai club Buriram United, also at AAMI Park, in an AFC Champions League Group H match on Wednesday night.

City top Group H with seven points from three games, four points ahead of third-placed Buriram.

The teams met in Thailand two weeks ago, with City winning 2-0.

Since then, there has been a change of coach at City, Aurelio Vidmar replaced Rado Vidošič, who was tormented after the club’s poor start to the A-League season.

Vidmar led City to their first win of the 2023-24 A-League last Friday night as the Melbourne club beat Sydney FC 2-0.

“We’re all on the same page, which is great,” Vidmar said.

“The whole group is really determined to win and push themselves further in terms of qualifying for the round of 16.

“We have to respect the opposition, but I’m more worried about what we’re going to do.”