Australia will open its World Cup campaign against three-time champion Germany in Durban.

The draw was staged at a glittering ceremony in Cape Town early this morning, with the Socceroos also being pitted against Ghana and Serbia in Group D.

The first match against Germany will kick off on Monday, June 14 at 12:00am (AEST).

The Socceroos then take on Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday, June 16 at 9:30pm before rounding out their group clashes against the Serbs in Nelspruit on Thursday, June 24 at 4:30am.

Sixth-ranked Germany will be the Socceroos' most difficult opponent, having qualified for the last four Cup finals as well as reaching the Euro 2008 decider.

Their last clash was a thrilling 4-3 win for Germany at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Frankfurt.

Ghana joined Australia in reaching the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, while Serbia topped its qualifying group in front of 1998 world champion France.

The Serbs are currently ranked 20th in the world, one place ahead of Australia, while Ghana, which features Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, is 37th.

"[It] could have been better, could have been worse," Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek told SBS of the draw.

"Germany's one of the best teams in the world - it's a great opponent for the first game.

"Ghana is very strong and Serbia beat France.

"Every game is full of challenges. We have a good record against Ghana, we've never lost against them."

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff said: "We are glad we did not draw France or Portugal, but Australia, Serbia and Ghana will also not be easy."

Coach Joachim Loew added: "We are quite happy with this draw, it's an interesting group."

Australia last met Ghana in a friendly international last May, winning 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Perth Glory marksman Mile Sterjovski.

The Socceroos have never played Serbia.

Australia needs to finish either first or second in the group to progress to the round of 16, where it would face either the winner or runner-up of Group C.

That could potentially mean a mouth-watering clash with England, whose odds were cut by many bookmakers, some installing it in second place behind Spain following a dream draw.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F: Italy (holder), New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.