AUSTRALIA WORLD CUP TEAM

WORLD CUP
QUALIFIERS TABLE

Club MP W D L GD Pts GF GA
FranceFrance 1 1 0 0 1 3 2 1
TunisiaTunisia 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
DenmarkDenmark 2 0 1 1 -1 1 1 2
AustraliaAustralia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

AUSTRALIA MATCH SCHEDULE

Group D

22/11/2022

Stadium

France
Australia

STARTS AT

20:00 GMT+0100

Al Janoub Stadium

Group D

26/11/2022

Stadium

Tunisia
Australia

STARTS AT

11:00 GMT+0100

Al Janoub Stadium

Group D

30/11/2022

Stadium

Australia
Denmark

STARTS AT

16:00 GMT+0100

Al Janoub Stadium

AUSTRALIA World Cup TEAM

Traditionally speaking, football in Australia has typically played second fiddle to cricket, rugby and Aussie Rules. However, the national side – affectionately known as the Socceroos – have been playing their part in igniting the country’s love for the sport in recent years.

The Australia squad have qualified for each of the last five World Cup Finals, as well as the upcoming tournament in Qatar, where they face a stern test against champions France in their first group game.

Although having qualified for every World Cup since switching to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, the journey this time was not plain sailing. Australia could only finish third in their final group stage – meaning two playoff games were now required.

First up was a stern test against the United Arab Emirates where only an 84th minute Ajdin Hrustic goal saw them progress. This led to an inter-continental qualifying playoff vs Peru; a tense 0-0 affair which could only be settled on penalties. Despite missing their first spot-kick, the Aussies eventually came out on top to book their passage to Qatar in November.

AUSTRALIA football team coach

Graham Arnold has been in and around Australian football since the early 1980’s. Having taken on a player/manager role at domestic side Northern Spirit in 1998, his impressive outlook on the game drew the attention of national side manager Frank Farina who appointed him as his assistant.

After Farina’s departure in 2005, Arnold stood in as acting caretaker until 2007 before taking charge of the Olympic side in 2008. He then once again returned as assistant, this time to Guus Hiddink, before taking on various domestic club roles until 2018.

His love affair with the national side continued as he moved back to manage both the Under 23s and first team squad, successfully guiding the latter to the upcoming 2022 World Cup.

AUSTRALIA football team captain

Goalkeeper Matthew Ryan has been the Australia team captain since October 2019. The move came during the most successful spell of his career playing for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Starting out at New South Wales side Blacktown City, Ryan was quickly picked up by Central Coast Mariners before switching to Club Brugge in Belgium. Despite a high-profile transfer to Valencia in 2015, injury thwarted his progress until the move to England came.

For the national side, Ryan’s position has been secured for many years and he has amassed enough appearances to become Australia’s second-most capped goalkeeper. Other highlights include winning Best Goalkeeper at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Why do Australia play as an Asian country?

By playing in their own geographical region of Oceania, Australia were required to win a playoff against a tough South America opponent to qualify for the finals. Although the Asian route means more competitive games throughout, they have a better chance of qualifying overall.

How many World Cups have Australia qualified for?

Despite not boasting a stellar footballing heritage, the Australian national side have qualified for five previous World Cup finals since becoming eligible in 1966. The Qatar 2022 tournament will be their sixth major finals.

Does Aaron Mooy still play for Australia?

Aaron Mooy is still playing in midfield for Australia and is due to play at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. He is now contracted to Celtic after a stint in China following his successful spell in the English Premier League with Huddersfield Town and Brighton. 

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