The Socceroos kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup™ campaign against European heavyweights France on Saturday night at 8pm AEST.
With two friendly wins under their belts and more than three weeks of preparation in Antalya, Turkey, Bert van Marwijk’s side landed in Russia to gear up for the challenge of Les Bleus.
READ: France's Australia verdict ahead of tournament opener in Kazan
Here’s all you need to know about the clash with France and how you can watch and follow all the action in Kazan.
Who? France
Current world ranking: 7th
Where? Kazan Arena, Kazan
When? Saturday 16 June 2018, kick off at 8pm (AEST)
Broadcast: You can watch the game LIVE in Australia on SBS and Optus Sport.
Tune in LIVE on SBS or stream via The World Game website or the 2018 FIFA World Cup app. Click here to find out how to watch LIVE on Optus Sport on your TV, mobile, table or computer.
How to follow: Fans can also keep up to date with all the previews, in-game and post-game content across our official social media channels, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, interviews and highlights.
Socceroos Official Twitter - @Socceroos
Socceroos Official Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Socceroos/
CALTEX SOCCEROOS v FRANCE MATCH CENTRE
France's Star Player: Antonie Greizmann
The French squad is a star-studded one, but Greizmann is perhaps the standout player. The Atlético Madrid winger is one of France’s most experienced players at international level in the FIFA World Cup squad.
Greizmann's 54 caps at international level are bettered only by Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud and French captain Hugo Lloris.
At his last major international tournament, Euro 2016, Greizmann won the Golden Boot and was named the player of the tournament.
READ: 'Reads the game like a kids book': The French superstars to watch out for
Form:
France has lost just one match in the past year, a 3-2 defeat to Colombia in a friendly back in March. Their most recent match was a 1-all draw with the United States.
Squad:
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Alphonse Areola (PSG), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibé (AS Monaco), Lucas Hernandez (Atlético Madrid), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Steven Nzonzi (Sevilla), Antoine Greizmann (Atlético Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Florian Thauvin (Marseille)
Previous meetings:
In the past three meetings between Australia and France, the Caltex Socceroos boast a strong record against one of the world’s best sides – a win, a draw, and a loss.
The last meeting saw Australia travel to Paris and meet the French in a friendly match at Parc des Princes back in 2013. Six goals to the home side condemned the Caltex Socceroos to a 6-0 defeat.
To find a match between the two nations before that, you have to go all the way back to a November 2001 friendly at the MCG. The Aussies could have come out victors on a rainy Melbourne night, but instead had to settle for a 1-all draw.
That fixture wasn’t the best result the Caltex Socceroos had against France in 2001 though. Drawn in the same group at the 2001 Confederations Cup, a 60th-minute goal from Clayton Zane saw the Aussies secure a famous 1-0 victory over the then-world champions.
Stay tuned for exclusive Caltex Socceroos training camp photos, footage and insight on socceroos.com.au or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.