Australia join France, Peru and Denmark in Group C at this summer's World Cup. The Aussies go into the tournament having replaced manager Ange Postecoglou at the end of qualifying with Bert van Marwijk.
The Dutchman will only be in charge of the Aussies during the World Cup. The Socceroos are in a transition period and it comes at the wrong time as the team kicks off its World Cup campaign on June 16.
The Aussies will take on Group C favourites France in their first match. Van Marwijk will have to get the best out of his players in the first group match against the heavily favoured French. It will be difficult as the Socceroos talent greatly pales in comparison to the French team.
Van Marwijk has called up an assortment of players from leagues around the world. The most intriguing selection he has made is that of forward Tim Cahill. The Australian international veteran has been capped 105 times. Cahill has by far scored the most goals for Australia at the international level (50), and his inclusion gives Van Marwijk some experienced leadership to lean on. Cahill is 38, so his fitness and age could limit his playing time at the tournament.
Miles Jedinak will wear the armband. His presence in midfield will be needed to prevent the team from being overrun in the centre of the park. Van Marwijk will have Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan wearing the No. 1 shirt. Ryan has shown himself to be a top goalkeeper at the club level and it will be his time to shine in the Socceroos' shirt in Russia.
The World Cup 2018 will be Australia's fourth straight appearance at the tournament. It cannot be denied the Socceroos are one of the most improved nations in world football over the last two decades. However, this year's team will have great difficulty getting out of the group stage. Except for Australia's magical run to the round of 16 in 2006, the team has been eliminated at the group stage in the last two World Cups. Leading sportsbooks have given Australia the longest odds to both top and qualify from Group C. The Socceroos are 20/1 to win the group and 4/1 to qualify.
Despite being underdogs, Australia have the chance to fight for second place in Group C. France should easily win the group, but Denmark and Peru have questions around their own quality. After playing France on June 16 in Kazan, Australia will take on Denmark five days later in a do or die game. If the team can get points against the Danes, it will set up a possible playoff match between the Socceroos and Peru. If Australia have a fighting chance of qualification in their final Group C match on June 26, the team could make it through. Of course, it will all be determined on the pitch.