Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers: how it works

The Socceroos will start their campaign for qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Perth after Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the West Australian Government today announced Australia's first home qualifier will be played at nib Stadium.

The date and opponent will be confirmed in early April when the draw for the First Round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying is conducted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

It is expected the first home qualifier will take place in either June or September 2015.

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The First Round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers comprises eight groups of five AFC nations, which will see all teams play home and away in a round robin format, meaning the Socceroos will play four matches in Australia.

The winners of all eight groups and the four best runners up will then progress to the final stage of qualifying, which will see the 12 nations drawn into two groups of six with another round of home and away matches signifying a further five World Cup Qualifiers on Australian soil.

Announcements on the location of the remaining matches will be made at a later date.

Every Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qualifier will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports.