The Socceroos are celebrating, after they booked their ticket to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Beaten Asian Cup finalists Australia made sure of their qualification for next year’s global football showpiece by beating Iraq 1-0 in Sydney on Tuesday.

Australia huffed and puffed as they chased the win that would guarantee their place at a third World Cup in a row, and Iraq were hardly bothered for most of the game.

There were looks of bemusement when the best Aussie player of all, Tim Cahill, was hauled off with just 13 minutes to play.

But bemusement turned to amazement when Cahill’s replacement, Josh Kennedy, scored the goal that sent the Socceroos through from Group B of Asian qualifying.

The winner of the final group game between Jordan and Oman will qualify for the World Cup playoffs.

In Group A, Asian heavyweights South Korea are almost home and dry ahead of their last game against Iran.

Only a big loss for Korea, and a big win for Uzbekistan against Qatar would see a change in the group.