Australia head coach Graham Arnold has resigned as it is the “best for the nation” after a poor start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying.

The 61-year-old ends his six-year second stint in the job, following a shock 1-0 defeat by Bahrain at home before drawing 0-0 against Indonesia.

The Socceroos are now looking to appoint a permanent replacement before their next World Cup qualifier at home to China on 10 October.

“I said after our game against Indonesia that I had some decisions to make, and after deep reflection, my gut has told me it’s time for change,” Arnold said in a statement.

“I’ve made the decision to resign based upon what’s best for the nation, the players and Football Australia.

“I’ve given absolutely everything I can to the role, and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved during my tenure.”

Arnold led Australia to the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar where they were knocked out of the tournament by winners Argentina, with Football Australia chief executive James Johnson recently backing the Australian to get back on track.

The former Socceroos striker was appointed assistant coach of Australia in 2000 and then served as interim boss for a year after Dutchman Guus Hiddink left in 2006.

He returned to the national side in 2018 as coach after a disappointing World Cup campaign in Russia saw Australia finish bottom of Group C.

Despite initially backing Arnold, Johnson thought he had “run out of gas” and hopes the replacement can still guide Australia to the World Cup.

The Socceroos sit fifth in their Asian qualifying group, with only the top two teams from each group heading directly to the World Cup staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States.