Australia are set to play their first 'home' World Cup qualifier in Qatar, with the Socceroos match against China likely to be played in oppressive conditions at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium on September 2.
It was reported last week that Football Australia (FA) were in discussions with Qatar's football federation about hosting the Asian WCQ third-round match in the Middle Eastern country, and the official announcement of the Doha-based venue is expected imminently.
The Socceroos' official website lists the China match as being played at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar on September with a 10.00am (AEST) kickoff, which is at 3am Qatari local time.
While the possible kickoff time in the middle of the Qatari night is unusual, it is the coolest part of the day with temperatures dropping to around 34 degrees after peaking in the low-to-mid 40s during the day and early evening.
The green and gold have been forced to play their first home WCQ on neutral soil because current COVID-19 restrictions wouldn't allow the Socceroos and their opponents to enter Australia without quarantining upon arrival.
FA are hoping to host the Socceroos' home qualifiers against Oman (October) and Saudi Arabia (November) at Bankwest Stadium in Australia, but with COVID-19 cases rising all around the country, there is still significant doubt over this scenario.
Australia's second qualifier, away against Vietnam, will go ahead on September 7 Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium, with the match to kickoff at 10pm (AEST).
No crowd will be present for the Vietnam match but all players and officials will be able to enter Hanoi without quarantining, but must adhere to strict COVID-19 prevention protocols.
The Socceroos squad for the China and Vietnam matches will be announced later this week.
Australia - who are in a group with Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Oman and Vietnam - need to finish in the top two positions in the group after a home-and-away schedule to qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - to be held in November-December.
Third place in the group will also get the opportunity to qualify via a playoff route that will involve playing against another Asian nation before facing a country from another federation.