Australia in the World Cup Finals

Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup Finals on November 16th, 2005 as an OFC member. As from January 1st, 2006 Australia will be a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

World Cup Appearances:
Germany 2006 is Australia's 2nd appearance in the World Cup Finals.
Best World Cup Performance:Australia didn't make it out of the group stage in West Germany 1974 and have yet to score a goal in the World Cup Finals. They did manage a 0-0 draw with Chile though.

Australia World Cup Preparations

Australia will use PSV Eindhoven's facilities as a training and logistics base, prior to the 2006 World Cup Finals.

Australia Team Hotel
Wald- und Schlosshotel:
Friedrichsruhe-Zweiflingen.
Located in a magnificent 3 acre private park, adjoining the large forest of Hohenlohe, the Wald- und Schlosshotel is Australia's 2006 World Cup Finals base.

Combining the charms of an unusual habitat and exquisite menus, Prince Zu Hohenlohe-Ehringen's former summer palace and hunting pavilion have become one of Germany's most renowned gourmet retreats. Visitors to the hotel can savour sublime fish and game specialities and extraordinary desserts as well as taste the excellent Verrenberg, a wine from the estate's vineyard.

Australia Friendly Matches
Greece, Thursday 25th May.

Holland, Sunday 4th June.

Liechtenstein, Wednesday 7th June.

Australia in the 2006 World Cup
Group F
Monday, 12th June
Australia vs Japan
Kaiserslautern -- (15:00)

Sunday, 18th June
Brazil vs Australia
München -- (18:00)

Thursday, 22nd June
Croatia vs Australia
Stuttgart -- (21:00)

Knockout Stage
Group F winner travels to Dortmund and the runner-up goes to Kaiserslautern.

Australia World Cup Squad 2006
Socceroos

Goalkeepers:
1 Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England)
12 Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden)
18 Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy)

Defenders:
2 Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England)
3 Craig Moore (Newcastle United, England)
6 Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England)
16 Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast)
22 Mark Milligan (Sydney FC)

Midfielders:
4 Tim Cahill (Everton, England)
5 Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)
7 Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England)
8 Josip Skoko (Stoke City on loan from Wigan Athletic, England)
11 Stan Lazaridis (free agent)
13 Vince Grella (Parma, Italy)
14 Scott Chipperfield (Basle, Switzerland)
20 Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City, England)
21 Mile Sterjovski (Basle, Switzerland)
23 Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy)

Forwards:
9 Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England)
10 Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England)
15 John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain)
17 Archie Thompson (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)
19 Joshua Kennedy (Dinamo Dreseden, Germany)

Trainer:
Guus Hiddink (Holland).

Players to watch:
10 Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England)
15 John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain)
23 Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy)

Destination Australia

Australia Travel Notes:
Find out more about Australia @ Travel Notes.