FIFA Ranking: 62 (Last Updated 05 Jun 2014)
History: The Socceroos have reached their third successive finals, and their fourth in total. Under former Chelsea manager, Guus Hiddink, they reached the last 16 in 2006 but lost in stoppage time to eventual winners Italy.
Qualifying report: Now firmly established as an Asian Football Federation (AFF) member, the Socceroos qualified automatically behind Japan but their passage to Brazil was not easy. Winless in their first three matches, they went unbeaten over the last five and secured their place seven minutes from full-time in the final game against Iraq.
Star Players: Mile Jedinak is an inborn leader and Australia`s hopes lie in him. He plays for Crystal Palace (England) in club level. Australia`s player of the year and newly appointed captain, Mile Jedinak, will have to play a vital role as chief midfield protector. In his prime, the Crystal Palace skipper can also play in defence.
Mathew Ryan has just been named as the Belgian league`s goalkeeper of the year in his very first season in European football. Ryan playes for Club Brugge (Belgium) in club level. He is tasked with replacing Mark Schwarzer in the national team. His head coach is legendary Belgian Michel Preud`homme, winner of the Yashin Award for best goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup.
Top Scorer during WC Qualification 2014: Joshua Kennedy (5)
Top scorer at the Cup: Tim Cahill (3)
Most World Cup caps: Jason Culina (7)
Team record at the Cup: Played 10, won 2, drew 3, lost 5
Coach: Ange Postecoglou - As a player, Greek-born Postecoglou won four Australia caps. He is a former national youth-team coach and led Brisbane Roar to two A-League titles. He has forged a reputation for starting and reviving numerous careers and also fancies the youth.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Club Bruges), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
Defenders: Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Bailey Wright (Preston North End), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Midfielders: Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa, Qatar), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (Sion), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), James Troisi (Atalanta), Massimo Luongo (Swindon)
Forwards: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Matthew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Duesseldorf), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets)
Group listing: Group B - Spain, Netherlands and Chile.
Fixtures:
June 13: Chile v Australia, Cuiaba
June 18: Spain v Chile, Rio de Janeiro
June 23: Holland v Chile, Sao Paulo