Socceroos FIFA World Cup fixtures, start times, Group D opponents Qatar, France, Denmark, Tunisia, Graham Arnold’s full squad
The FIFA World Cup begins in Qatar a week from today. Australia are in Group D with France, Denmark, Tunisia, and Qatar. Graham Arnold's full squad has been picked. It's Australia's fifth straight World cup appearance.
Australia has been drawn in Group D with France, Denmark, Tunisia and Qatar. The group is going to be tough for the Socceroos. France is ranked fourth in the world, 34 places ahead of Australia. Denmark is the second-ranked team in their group. Tunisia is 30th in FIFA rankings. The team is made up of European-based players. Christian Eriksen is a notable player from Denmark. He made a comeback from a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
The Socceroos are playing in Group D against Qatar, France, Denmark, Tunisia. Graham Arnold’s full squad is available.
Australia play France on Wednesday, November 23 at 6 am AEDT at Al Janoub Stadium.
Australia play Tunisia on Saturday, November 26 at 9pm AEDT at Al Janoub Stadium.
Mane is out of the World Cup. Australia play Denmark on Thursday, December 1 at 2 am AEDT at Al Janoub Stadium.
The squad has been increased to 26 players for the World Cup. There are 17 World Cups debutants in the squad. The average age of the players is 25. Garang Kuolwill will become Australia’s youngest ever World cup player. Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles are injured. Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustic and Martin Boyle are established stars.
Graham Arnold has named his FIFA World Cup squad. Australia is in Group D with Qatar, France, Denmark, Tunisia.
Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Bailey Wright are the defenders.
Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aaron Mooy, Martin Boyle, Jason Cummings, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol, Mat Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren.
The Socceroos are playing in Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar. It was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The stadium is located 17km from downtown Doha. Australia have played there once before, defeating Jordan 2-1 in June. If the Socceros make it to the Round of 16, they will play at either Ahmad bin Ali Stadium or Al Thumama Stadium. The temperature inside the stadium will be around 20 degrees.
The Socceroos are staying at Doha's Aspire Academy for the duration of their campaign. Tim Cahill is Chief Sport Officer at Aspires. The academy features a full-sized indoor pitch, seven outdoor pitches, and other sporting facilities including a swimming pool, outdoor gym and squash courts. Graham Arnold insists the players will have a key advantage over the many rival nations staying in fancy hotels.
Qatar's World Cup has been littered with controversy since it was awarded hosting rights back in 2010. FIFA has called on teams at the World cup in Qatar to focus on football and stop “handing out moral lessons”. Australia's players last month released a video message voicing their concerns about the issues, including Qatar's laws opposing homosexuality.
Australia has only won two World Cup matches in six World Cups. They have drawn four and lost ten of their 16 World cup finals. Australia is in Group D with Qatar, France, Denmark, Tunisia. Graham Arnold has named his full squad.
The Socceroos are rated as 750-1 outsiders in local betting markets and $3.80 outsiders by the TAB. The realistic goal for Arnold's team is to reach the Round of 16. Robbie Slater believes going further is a realistic aim. According to Stats Insider, the Aussies have a 17.5% chance of making it out of Group D and a 0.1% of winning the tournament.
