AUSTRALIA’S path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will see the Socceroos take on Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Thailand in Group B.

Group A will see Iran, the other top seed along with Australia, go up against Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, China PR, Qatar and Syria.

The top two teams in both groups qualify automatically for the next World Cup finals, while the two teams that finish third will progress to a play-off for the right to make an inter-continental play-off against a CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) nation for the final spot up for grabs.

AUSTRALIA’S SCHEDULE THROUGH TO RUSSIA 2018

LOGISTICS: The challenge facing the Socceroos

CHEAT SHEET: Guide to our five opponents

Qualifying will begin against Iraq on Thursday 1 September 2016 and go for a year, with games played both home and away, with venues yet to be announced.

When learning about the draw live on Fox Sports News, Socceroos legend Tim Cahill said “wow”.

“If you want to make it to such a prestigious tournament, you’ve got to beat the best,” he said.

He added: “This is what football’s all about. We’ve done so well in the Asian Cup by winning it, and in the first group phase (of qualifying), but this is where it’ll separate the men from the boys.

“But I’m excited by it.”

The Asian Cup champions will also compete at the 2017 Confederations Cup in between this schedule. Although Group B is perceived to be slightly tougher, Cahill insists that will not daunt Postecoglou.

“Trust me, this won’t faze him by one bit. He’ll be buzzing - to test ourselves against Japan again, against these top teams,” he said.

“Every single game we’ve dictated possession, with the ball, we’ve made sure we’ve left a mark.

“Now the transition to the new phase will be the same thing.

“No doubt in my mind the boss will be excited by this. He won’t be fazed. This is what World Cup qualifying is all about.”

On the prospect of facing Japan again, Cahill said: “I think the best thing about playing any game is scoring ... when you play on the big stage and the curtain is closing slowly in playing in these big games you want to make the most of it.”

Cahill, currently playing club football in China, admitted he was relieved that Australia was not drawn in China’s group, because he wants to see the country also qualify for the tournament.

“It’ll be really good for a country like this to be in a World Cup.”

Australia is expected to open against 2007 Asian champion Iraq at home on Sept. 1 before traveling to the UAE. In October, the Australians travel to Saudi Arabia before returning for a home match against Japan, which has qualified for the last five World Cups. The Saudis reached the Round of 16 in 1994 and played in four consecutive World Cups but haven’t qualified since 2006. Also on Sept. 1, Iran opens against Qatar, South Korea hosts China, Japan is at home to UAE, Saudi Arabia takes on Thailand and Uzbekistan meets Syria.

Japan is the only team in the group with a winning record against Australia - eight wins and eight draws in their 23 international meetings.

The South Koreans have played in nine World Cups and reached the semifinals in 2002 while co-hosting the tournament with Japan, which remains the best run by an Asian team at the sport’s marquee tournament. The South Koreans open against China, which scraped into the last round with two late wins to maintain its hopes of reaching the World Cup for only the second time.

War-torn Syria reached the final round despite the ongoing upheaval, forcing the national team to play the entire second round away from home.

The Syrians finished behind Japan in the previous stage to progress as one of the four best second-place teams.

- Additional reporting from our wire services