Australia World Cup team preview: Latest odds, squad and tournament history

The Socceroos failed to win a match at the 2014 edition in Brazil and a tough group stage means a repeat could be on the cards at Russia 2018

Largely there to make up the numbers at the World Cup, it is difficult to see Australia make a name for themselves here.

Drawn with France, Denmark and Peru, the odds are stacked against the Socceroos to even win a match - let alone escape Group C.

Australia made light work of their first group stage in qualifying, tasting defeat just once in their eight matches to safely reach the second and final group stage in Asia.

That was where things began to get difficult, though. Australia only lost one of their 10 games but four draws meant they had to settle for third place and an historic play-off against Syria.

A Tim Cahill goal in extra time in the second leg put the Socceroos through to the inter-confederation play-offs, where a Mile Jedinak hat-trick saw off Honduras after a 0-0 draw in South America in the first leg.

Australia have played in for the World Cup four times in their history prior to this tournament, although this will be their fourth consecutive edition.

Of the 11 goals they have scored at the finals, Cahill is responsible for five of them and will be aiming to score in his fourth World Cup here.

Only once have they ever got out of the group stages, back in 2006 when they reached the last 16 before losing to eventual champions Italy.