World Cup 2022: France vs. Australia head-to-head record

By Joshua Ojele | 22 Nov 2022 12:53, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:38

France get their FIFA World Cup title defence underway on Tuesday when they go head to head with Australia in Group D at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Both sides will square off against Denmark and Tunisia in their subsequent two group-stage matches, with Didier Deschamps's men favourites to reach the knockout stages as group winners.

France, who are gunning for a third World Cup crown, boast a superior record against Australia, claiming three wins and one draw in the previous five meetings between the nations.

Their very first encounter came back in May 1994, when Manchester United legend Eric Cantona struck the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute to sink the Socceroos in the Kirin Japan Cup.

Australia's only victory came in Group A of the FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2011, when they saw off Les Bleus 1-0 courtesy of a second-half strike from forward Clayton Zane.

There have been three more meetings between France and Australia, with Deschamps's side claiming one draw and two victories, including an emphatic 6-0 friendly win in October 2013, which remains the biggest result in this fixture to date.

Their most recent encounter came in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup, when Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba scored either side of Mile Jedinak's 62nd-minute equaliser to hand France a 2-1 victory.

FRANCE V. AUSTRALIA HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

France wins: 3 Australia wins: 1 Draws: 1 France goals: 10 Australia goals: 3

MATCH HISTORY

May 26, 1994: France 1-0 Australia (Kirin Japan Cup) June 1, 2001: France 0-1 Australia (FIFA Confederations Cup) November 11, 2001: France 1-1 Australia (International Friendly) October 11, 2013: France 6-0 Australia (International Friendly) June 16, 2018: France 2-1 Australia (FIFA World Cup)