France head into the World Cup as one of the favourites and will be looking to lay down a marker on Saturday against Australia.
French forward Nabil Fekir (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Ireland at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on May 28, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE
Les Bleus won the competition in 1998, with coach Didier Deschamps the captain of that team, and his steadying influence is seen as key to their hopes.
While Deschamps has been in charge for six years, Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk has only held his post since January and likely to rely on his organisational skills.
All eyes will be on Tim Cahill as well, as having scored five of his country’s 11 World Cup goals, he will be aiming to become only the fourth man to net in four separate finals.
France will be keen to get off to a winning start having only topped their pool twice in their last nine World Cup campaigns, while the Aussies have only made the last-16 once from five attempts.
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