Australia took the long route to Qatar, playing most qualifying games away from home due to Covid border rules and then coming through play-offs against UAE and Peru, the latter memorable for substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne’s penalty shootout antics.
This is a fifth finals on the bounce but haven’t won a game since 2010.
Here’s everything you need to know about Australia…
Coach: Graham Arnold. Assistant coach in 2006 and 2010, he was on brink of sack at one point in qualifying but now leads his country in Qatar.
Captain: Mat Ryan. The former Arsenal and Brighton goalkeeper will be one of few recognised by Premier League fans.
Star player: Ajdin Hrustic. Part of the Eintracht Frankfurt side that beat Barcelona, West Ham and Rangers to win Europa League in May.
One to watch: Garang Kuol. 18-year-old wildcard has never started an A-League game but will join Newcastle United in January.
Odds to win: 425/1
World ranking: 38th
Best thing about them: Stuck heads above the parapet with criticism of Qatar over LGBTQ+ and human rights record.
Worst thing about them: Lacking the star quality of previous Socceroos teams.
Their prospects in three words: Will be tough.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
November 22 vs France (7pm)
November 26 vs Tunisia (10pm)
November 30 vs Denmark (3pm)
Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic, Andrew Redmayne
Defenders: Harry Souttar, Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Kye Rowles, Joel King
Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Cameron Devlin, Riley McGree, Keanu Baccus
Forwards: Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Martin Boyle
