The 1998 winners enter this tournament as one of the favorites to take the trophy home. Let's see what the Socceroos can do to make the doubt.

France and Australia will make their debut in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the earliest-scheduled match of the entire competition. Both sides will have the honor of kicking off Group C's activity, which they share with Perú and Denmark.

Didier Deschamps' side is packed with talent, but there are some doubts among experts that haven't forgotten about their shocking loss to Portugal in the UEFA Euro final two years ago. With those doubts flying above his head, the former Les Bleus captain will want his men to stand up to the occasion and make all predictions true.

The star-studded cast presented by France includes Paul Pogba, Manchester United's high-priced signing, and a frontline that features Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, who has decided to keep playing for Atlético next season, and will be able to focus on winning the WC title with France

On the other side of the pitch, Australia will try to forget their troublesome World Cup Qualifying stage, which forced them to fight for their spot in this competition via a playoff against Honduras.

Interim boss Bert Van Marwijk, who's already stated he will be stepping down as the team's coach by thje end of the World Cup will try to reach the KO stage with the Socceroos for the second time in team's history, thus ending their 12-year bad-luck streak.

France vs Australia - Match facts

  • These teams have played three games against each other. Each side has claimed one win, with one more draw adding to their tally.

  • Australia's 1-0 victory against France in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup represents the only competitive game between these sides.

  • The last game between these teams took place in 2013. That game ended with a 6-0 blowout for France.

  • This will be Australia's fifth World Cup appearance. 

  • This will be France's 15th World Cup. They claimed the title in 1998 and succumbed to Italy in the title-deciding match of the 2006 edition. 

  • France enters this game on a 4-game unbeaten streak, while Australia hasn't lost in their three most recent matches.

Broadcast info

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

France 2 - 1 Australia

June 16, 2018 6:00amKazan' Arena (Kazan')

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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