FIFA World Cup Draw: Caltex Socceroos’ opponent dossier

Caltex Socceroos fans will be hoping for a little bit of luck when the draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is conducted on Saturday (AEDT).

With Australia’s FIFA ranking placing them in pot four, they cannot be drawn against another nation from the same pot.

Fellow AFC nation Iran, who are in pot three, are also unable to face the Socceroos.

Ahead of the draw, we take a closer look at Australia’s head-to-head record against all 23 nations which the Socceroos could be pitted against.

FAMILIAR FOES

The nation Australia has played most often is Uruguay, with nine previous meetings being evenly shared with four wins apiece and one drawn. 

Australia have also met Brazil eight times, winning just once with six losses and a solitary draw.

The Caltex Socceroos have squared off against England on seven occasions, with a record of one win, two draws and four losses.

They’ve also played Argentina seven times with a win, a draw and five defeats.

Socceroos v Uruguay

 

REGULAR OPPONENTS

Australia have played Croatia on six occasions with two wins, two losses and two draws.

They have also played Germany half a dozen times, winning one of those and drawing another with four defeats.

Mexico and Sweden have both been opponents five times with identical records for Australia - two wins, two draws and one defeat.

And the Caltex Socceroos have played France four times, but only won one of those games.

Socceroos v Germany

 

NOW AND AGAIN

Colombia have been Australia's opposition three times, with the South Americans winning two of these and the other match drawn.

Denmark have also been the opponent on three occasions with Australia winning one and losing two of those clashes.

The Caltex Socceroos have played Egypt and Tunisia twice each, with a win and a loss against the latter and a draw and loss against the former.

Socceroos v Denmark

 

JUST THE ONCE

Australia has played Costa Rica and Poland only once, winning each time.

They have also met Switzerland on a solitary occasion with that match finishing goal-less.

And Spain and Belgium have also been a one-time opponent, with both earning victory over Australia.

Socceroos v Costa Rica

 

NEW ADVERSARIES

Australia has never played Iceland, Portugal, Peru, Russia or Senegal.