Socceroos could miss the World Cup after 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia

Graham Arnold's tenure as coach of the Socceroos is hanging by a thread after losing 1-0 to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning.

A penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari in the 65th minute was the difference between the two sides in Jeddah, with Australia to next face the UAE on June 7 in a winner takes all World Cup qualifying match in Doha.

If Australia manage to win that game, they will then face the fifth-placed team from South America a week later.

The last World Cup not featuring the Socceroos was in 2002.

Australia head into the playoffs having won just one of their past seven qualifiers with speculation rife Arnold will be sacked.

A patched up Australian XI had their chances against the Green Falcons, with a first half goal from Martin Boyle ruled out for offside.

Penalty Saudi Arabia!

Jeggo catches Al-Najei and the referee points to the spot.#KSAvAUS is live now on 10 pic.twitter.com/BpG0mGTG2B

The hosts scored the only goal of the contest just after the half hour mark when Al-Dawsari held his nerve from the spot following a Jimmy Jeggo foul inside the area on Sami Al-Najei.

Arnold, 58, was a frustrated figure at the final whistle, but will by buoyed by the fact he will be able to call on the likes of Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Milos Degenek and Jackson Irvine for the games in Qatar - if he is still in charge.

Former Socceroos defender and Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has been touted as a possible successor if Arnold is axed.

Ex-Socceroos turned commentators Archie Thompson and Luke Wilkshire both believe Arnold has to go.

'Is he getting the best out of the players? I don't know. I don't think so,' Thompson told Network 10.

'It hasn't worked and it's not working still.'

Wilkshire said a fresh face is needed to spark