The Socceroos were one of the first teams to qualify for the 2010 World Cup after finishing on top of their qualifying group. They are currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings - their highest ever - making them the top-ranked team in Asia.

2010 will be just their third World Cup campaign. After qualifying in 1974 they did not make another World Cup until 2006, where they did well to reach the Round of 16.

Their form in 2009, although not fantastic, has been solid with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses from the 12 games played. They will head into the World Cup in SA confident of improving on their last campaign.

Coach: Pim Verbeek

A former player for Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam, Verbeek took over the Australian side in 2007, after serving as an assistant coach with South Korea under Guus Hiddink and then Dick Advocaat at the 2002 and 2006 World Cup respectively. Verbeek has been a staunch critic of the domestic league in Australia and openly questioned the decision of Jason Culina to quit PSV Eindhoven return home and play in the A-League.

Captain: Lucas Neill

A member of the squad that played in the 2006 World Cup, Neill plies his trade at Turkish club Galatasaray as a right back, while he can also fill in at centre back.

Star players:

Australia has a fair share of foreign-based players with Everton's Tim Cahill, Blackburn's Brett Emerton probably the best of the bunch.