when did australia compete at their first football world cup
1974
title: Australia at the FIFA World Cup text: Australia at the FIFA World Cup The Australia national soccer team, nicknamed the Socceroos, has represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup finals on five occasions: in 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. In Australia's first appearance, representing OFC, a team made up entirely of amateurs secured a scoreless draw against Chile, though eventually departed from the 1974 tournament without a goal to show from their inaugural appearance. Australia made up for lost time at Germany 2006 and qualified for the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to eventual champions Italy. The German theme continued at South Africa 2010 although title: History of the Australia national soccer team text: finals point. It would prove be the only FIFA World Cup appearance for Australia until the tournament returned to Germany more than three decades later, in 2006. The 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification saw Australia grouped with New Zealand and Chinese Taipei in the first group round in 1977. After topping their group, Australia progressed to the final round where they would play Iran, South Korea, Kuwait and Hong Kong who all won their respected groups in the previous round. The teams would play a series of home and away matches with the overall winner gaining qualifying to the 1978 title: Australia at the FIFA World Cup text: the third yellow. Australia at the FIFA World Cup The Australia national soccer team, nicknamed the Socceroos, has represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup finals on five occasions: in 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. In Australia's first appearance, representing OFC, a team made up entirely of amateurs secured a scoreless draw against Chile, though eventually departed from the 1974 tournament without a goal to show from their inaugural appearance. Australia made up for lost time at Germany 2006 and qualified for the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to eventual champions Italy. The German theme continued at South title: Australia national soccer team text: home soil. The team has represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup tournament on five occasions, in 1974 and from 2006 to 2018. The team has also represented Australia at the FIFA Confederations Cup four times. The first Australia national team was constituted in 1922 for a tour of New Zealand, which included two defeats and a draw. For the next 36 years, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa became regular opponents in tour (exhibition) matches. During that period, Australia also competed against Canada and India during their tours of Australia in 1924 and 1938 respectively. Australia recorded their worst title: Australia national soccer team text: losing in play-offs to North Korea and Israel respectively, Australia finally appeared at their first World Cup in West Germany, 1974. After managing only a draw from Chile and losses from East Germany and West Germany, the team which was made up of mostly amateur players was eliminated at the end of the first round, finishing last in their group without scoring a goal. It would prove to be the only appearance for the Australian team until the World Cup tournament returned to Germany more than three decades later in 2006. Over a 40-year period, the Australian team was known