With the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw less than two weeks away, and the anticipation building, take a trip down memory lane and see the CommBank Socceroos' six previous Group Stage opponents.
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup 2026™ Draw information
Having qualified for the tournament for the first time in 1974, the Aussies had to wait 32 years for their next appearance at the world's biggest sporting event. Since then, the green and gold have not looked back - reaching the finals on six consecutive occasions.
Here is a brief summary of who we've been drawn against over the years.
The Socceroos have been placed in some tough group stages, with the 2014 iteration in particular standing out. The preceding two draws have seen us face France and Denmark.
The Aussies have also had a habit of facing the eventual world champions.
Initially in 1974, when West Germany went on to win their second FIFA World Cup™. In 2006, we were grouped with the reigning world champions, while in 2018, we took on France, who went on to claim their second title. In 2022, the Socceroos also faced France, this time as holders.
In the two instances that Australia has advanced to the knockout stages, we were eliminated by the ensuing champions - Italy in 2006 and Argentina in 2022.
1974
Group 1: East Germany (5 points), West Germany (4), Chile (2), Australia (1)
2006
Group F: Brazil (9), Australia (4), Croatia (2), Japan (1)
2010
Group D: Germany (6), Ghana (4), Australia (4), Serbia (3)
2014
Group B: Netherlands (9), Chile (6), Spain (3), Australia (0)
2018
Group C: France (7), Denmark (5), Peru (3), Australia (1)
2022
Group D: France (6), Australia (6), Tunisia (4), Denmark (1)
*Teams listed in order of Final Group Standings following conclusion of Group Stage.
How to watch the Final Draw
Date and time
The final draw will take place at Friday, 5 December 2025 at at 12:00 Eastern Time (18:00 CET, 17:00 GMT), which in Australia is in the early hours of Saturday, 6 December 2025 at 4:00am (AEDT).
Venue
The final draw will be hosted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.