Australia

Australia’s torturous path through qualification for the 2018 World Cup encompassed 22 games (the most of any nation in history), 11 different opponents and 250,000 kilometres of travel. They only lost twice, but too many draws meant they missed automatic qualification on goal difference to Saudi Arabia. Four tight play-off games followed, before a fourth consecutive World Cup qualification was secured with a 3-1 home win over Honduras in front of nearly 80,000 in Sydney.

The Socceroos will make their fourth straight appearance at a World Cup in Russia with a number of new faces and old heads pushing for selection. New coach Bert van Marwijk will only be in charge of Australia for the tournament and is expected to pick solely based on current form with past exploits and future potential unlikely to sway the Dutchman. As a result, a number of places are up for grabs and expect a few surprises once an extended squad announced on May 7 is cut to 23 names by June 4.

Australia 2018 World Cup Home and Away Kits + Pre-Match Jersey Revealed

The Australia 2018 World Cup home and away kits introduce bespoke designs, inspired by the Socceroo’s football tradition and heritage. Set for a debut on the weekend, the Nike Austrlia 2018 World Cup collection will go on sale on April 8.

The Australia 2018 World Cup jersey is golden with a dark green collar and a unique graphic print on the sleeves. This Australia 2018 kit sleeve graphic is inspired by one of the most important moments in Australia football history, the decisive 2006 World Cup qualifier that was played on November 16, 2005, and which saw the Socceroos return to the biggest stage after 32 years.

Preliminary Squad For 2018 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Brad Jones (Feyenoord), Mitch Langerak (Nagoya Grampus), Mat Ryan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Danny Vukovic (KRC Genk);

Defenders: Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Milos Degenek (Yokohama F. Marinos), Alex Gersbach (Racing Lens), Matthew Jurman (Suwon Samsung Blue Wings), Fran Karacic (NK Lokomotiva), James Meredith (Millwall), Josh Risdon (Western Sydney), Trent Sainsbury (Grasshopper Zurich), Aleksandar Susnjar (FK Mlada Boleslav), Bailey Wright (Bristol City);

Midfielders: Josh Brillante (Sydney), Jackson Irvine (Hull City), Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa), Robbie Kruse (VfL Bochum), Massimo Luongo (Queens Park Rangers), Mark Milligan (Al Ahli), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town), Tom Rogic (Celtic), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory);

Forwards: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City), Tim Cahill (Millwall), Apostolos Giannou (AEK Larnaca), Tomi Juric (Luzern), Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin), Jamie Maclaren (Hibernian), Andrew Nabbout (Urawa Red Diamonds), Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets), Nikita Rukavytsya (Maccabi Haifa).