Australia World Cup Team Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

World Cup | Odds | Free Picks | Venues | Groups: A B C D E F G H | Knockout: Rd 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals

CONTENTS

• Australia Odds: To Win World Cup
• Australia: Road to the Final
• Australia Previous World Cup FInishes
• Australia World Cup FAQ

Australia Odds: To Win World Cup

Australia is into its fifth successive World Cup this winter and sports betting sites think the Socceroos could be a source of against-the-odds upsets in Qatar. The Aussies left it late to qualify this time – the team needed a playoff victory over the United Arab Emirates to ensure they booked their ticket on the plane to the World Cup.

But many soccer betting fans may argue their place was never in doubt. After all, Australia has become a mainstay of the World Cup in recent years thanks to its superiority in qualifying. Having crushed the opposition in Oceania, the country’s soccer federation requested it move to Asian qualifying, in order to play tougher teams and raise its own team’s level.

It worked and the Aussies now have a greatly competitive team, even if its FIFA ranking suggests otherwise. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, defender Trent Sainsbury, midfield duo Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine, and striker Mathew Leckie are experienced internationals who can carry this team forward.

Head coach Graham Arnold has his team playing expansive, exciting soccer but with defensive discipline. No wonder, then, that the Aussies are considered a good price to escape their World Cup group – although few would back them to win the whole thing.

Odds Provided by bet365 - Subject to Change

Australia: Path to the Final

Pot Draw

Australia was placed in Pot 4 for the World Cup draw, alongside the likes of Cameroon, Wales and Costa Rica. It meant they were destined to face three group opponents of much superior ranking. But Australia may be just happy to be at the World Cup, considering the team was third in Asia qualifying Group B, and had to beat UAE 2-1 in a playoff to make Qatar.

Group Stage

Australia is drawn in Group D for the World Cup, alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia. It is arguably one of the more exciting groups in the tournament. That’s because no-one knows how the group will end. France could reign supreme or tank badly, Denmark is an exciting force in world football, and both Tunisia and Australia will want to make an impact. Should the Aussies finish second in the group, they’d likely play Argentina in the last-16.

Australia Previous World Cup Finishes

Australia has an impressive record of qualifying for recent World Cups. But in fact its first World Cup venture was way back in 1974, when the team competed in the group stage in West Germany. Since then they've gone on to play in five further World Cups – although they've only won two games to date.

• 1974 – Group stage
• 2006 – Last-16
• 2010 – Group stage
• 2014 – Group stage
• 2018 – Group stage

Australia World Cup FAQ

Has Australia qualified for the World Cup?

Yes. Australia qualified for the World Cup after beating United Arab Emirates 2-1 in a playoff game.

Why Is World Cup In November?

The World Cup is being held in November and December because it is too hot to play in Qatar’s summer months. FIFA chose to shake up world soccer’s calendar by moving the traditional summer tournament to the winter.

Can Australia win the World Cup?

It’s unlikely Australia will win the World Cup. Sports betting sites current;y give Australia a 0.2% chance of emerging victorious.

What teams do Australia face at the World Cup?

Australia will play France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D of the World Cup. The first game is against France on November 22.

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