Australia coach Guus Hiddink has named an experienced 23-man Socceroos squad on Wednesday for next month's World Cup Finals in Germany.

They begin their first World Cup campaign for 32 years against Japan on June 12 before further Group F matches against world champions Brazil on June 18 and Croatia on June 22.

Speaking about the teams that Australia have been drawn against, Hiddink said in a statement: “Everyone thinks we have an unknown Japan but Japan have played in the last few World Cups and they have experience with European-based players so they are a tough team to beat.”

"Brazil, everyone knows that will be a special game. The Croatian game has a history of itself because of a lot of connections between Australian-Croatians or the other way around so that will be a very hectic clash at the end."

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was named in the squad despite concerns over his fitness after suffering a knee injury.

Liverpool’s Harry Kewell has also been named, having recently hit a rich vein of form, further boosting the Socceroos’ challenge for the Finals.

Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to be back to full fitness in time for the Finals, despite breaking his cheekbone recently. The Boro shot-stopper is featuring in tonight’s UEFA Cup final against Seville wearing a face-mask (if allowed by the referee) hoping to lift Middlesbrough’s first-ever major tournament trophy.

The Socceroos will be without the experience of Tony Vidmar, who pulled out of the tournament on Tuesday for health reasons.

Defender Michael Beauchamp, who plays for Central Coast, and is one of only two domestic players involved in the Australia squad, will replace him.

"We are happy to be there but I know that the team is not settling down and just participating," said Hiddink. "This team is so eager to get a surprise to get into the second round."

Australia on Wednesday announced the following 23-man squad for the World Cup in Germany.

Goalkeepers:
Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan), Ante Covic (Hammarby),

Defenders:
Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC)

Midfielders:
Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Stan Lazaridis (free agent), Josip Skoko (Stoke City on loan from Wigan Athletic), Mile Sterjovski (Basel), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City)

Strikers:
John Aloisi (Alaves), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Archie Thompson (PSV Eindhoven), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough), Josh Kennedy (Dinamo Dreseden)

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