While the return to Qatar may not bring first round games quite as tough as France, Denmark and Tunisia, Australia have been handed one of the tougher 2023 Asian Cup draws in Group B. Uzbekistan and Syria are the teams from pots two and three that many wanted to avoid while India are the highest ranked of the basement boys. As even third place may go through to the second round, the 2015 champions should have few problems in progressing but if they want to finish above all three geographically diverse opponents and enjoy an easier route forward, then it will be best to rediscover that Qatar magic that saw wins against the Danes and the Tunisians.
