Australia's coach, Graham Arnold (60), has appealed to the government for assistance in ensuring the safety of the Socceroos during their World Cup qualifier against the Palestinian team.

This request is prompted by security concerns in the region.

Notably, there has been recent violence, with Hamas militants being involved in an attack on communities in southern Israel on October 7th, resulting in more than 1,300 casualties among Israelis.

In response, health authorities in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip reported at least 3,000 casualties during Israel's 11-day bombardment following the attack.

Australia is scheduled to face the Palestinian team in an Asia qualifying match on November 21st, with the venue yet to be determined.

"No doubt we're going to need the government's support in those types of decisions on where we're playing Palestine and even Lebanon," Arnold told reporters in London.

"Because of what is going on at the moment, it's quite scary.

"We're obviously not on top of everything that is going on on the security side of things in the Middle East; no doubt the government is more into that than we are, so give us some help so the decision is safe.

"We need to be safe."

In their final match before the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Melbourne on November 16th, Australia secured a 2-0 victory against New Zealand in a friendly held in London on Tuesday.