SOCCEROOS (Centenary) AND THE FROGS

Today the Australian World Cup team plays France in the first of their 2022 FIFA Group matches. The first Australia national team in history, was constituted in 1922 for a tour of New Zealand, which included two defeats and a draw. For the next 36 years, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa  became regular opponents in tour, exhibition matches. Australian team (wearing light blue shirts) 1922 below.

Australia plays their World Cup Group match this evening at the Al Janoub Stadium, against France at 19.00. The has qualified for the World Cup finals on six occasions: in 1974, 2006,  2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. They have also attempted to qualify through to the FIFA World Cup 15 times, with their first attempt being in 1966 when they lost to North Korea in the regional qualifications and you may know what affect North Korea had on the English hosted World Cup....!!!!....????

In Australia's first appearance, representing OFC, a team made up entirely of amateurs secured a scoreless draw against Chile, though eventually departed from the 1974 tournament without a goal to show from their inaugural appearance. 

Australia made up for lost time at Germany 2006 and qualified for the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to eventual champions Italy. 

The German theme continued at South Africa 2010 although this time Australia, now representing the AFC, suffered a 4–0 loss against the European giants in a scoreline which ultimately scuppered their progress. A ten-man 1–1 draw against Ghana and a 2–1 win against Serbia saw Australia eliminated on goal difference, three goals off the Africans. 

Australia were to lose all three games in a tough group at Brazil 2014.

France's manager, Didier Deschamps, says there is no anxiety within his side's camp at the World Cup, despite the withdrawal of several of key players. France won the tournament in 2018 and start the defence of the title against Australia on Tuesday (22nd).

• France won the only previous World Cup match between the two nations in the group stage in 2018.
• Australia's only victory in five attempts in this fixture came in the group stage of the 2001 Confederations Cup. France, however, recovered to go on and win the trophy.
• France's 6-0 win in a friendly at Parc de Princes in 2013 is their biggest against the Australians. Olivier Giroud scored twice.
• France are taking part in a seventh successive World Cup - their longest-ever run. They failed to score a goal in their only World Cup as holders in 2002. Les Bleus can win their opening game in three successive World Cup appearances for the first time. In their previous two openers they defeated Honduras 3-0 in 2014 and Australia 2-1 in 2018. However, the reigning world champions have won their first match in just three of the past 12 World Cups (D4, L5) - the exceptions were Germany in 1994 and Brazil in both 1998 and 2006. France have won only one of their past six matches (D2, L3), including two defeats to Denmark.

• Australia: None of the current squad has scored a World Cup goal. This is Australia's first game against European opposition since a 1-1 draw versus Denmark at the 2018 World Cup. Australia has won just two of their 16 World Cup matches (D4, L10), both in the group stage - 3-1 against Japan in 2006 and 2-1 versus Serbia in 2010. A goalless draw with Chile in 1974 remains their only clean sheet in 16 World Cup games. The Socceroos have lost their opening fixture on four of their five World Cup appearances.Australia reached the last 16 in 2006 but that is the only time they have progressed to the knockout stage. They were subsequently eliminated 1-0 by Italy following a 95th-minute penalty scored by Francesco Totti.