Soccer-Australia, New Zealand battle for bragging rights ahead of World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Quarter Final - Australia v South Korea - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - February 2, 2024 Australia players huddle before the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -With World Cup fever building on both sides of the Tasman Sea for the first time in 15 years, Australia and New Zealand will fight for bragging rights in a two-friendly series starting in Canberra on Friday.

Both nations confirmed their places early for the 2026 finals in North America and are relishing the time to prepare as other nations sweat through qualifying.