sport news Socceroos release squad numbers for World Cup but keep fans in the dark about ... trends now
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has released the squad numbers of his players ahead of the World Cup - but exactly who will start in their group opener against France remains a mystery.
Renowned for keeping his cards close to his chest, the 59-year-old will keep Australia's opponents in Qatar guessing for as long as possible.
Defender Bailey Wright was handed the gold number eight jersey, but it will be a selection surprise if he is named in the starting XI, with Milos Degenek - in jersey two - also a likely bench option.
Nathaniel Atkinson (three) and Fran Karacic (five) are tipped to fight it out for the right-back berth, while a number of players named from 12-26 will definitely be on the team sheet from the outset versus Les Blues.
Midfielders Aaron Mooy (13) and Jackson Irvine (22) are selection locks, with towering centre back Harry Souttar (19) also expected to be a key figure versus Didier Deschamps' men.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold (pictured middle) is expected to keep his starting XI against France up his sleeve until game day
Bailey Wright (pictured right) has been allocated jersey number eight at the World Cup - but if he starts versus Les Blues it will be a shock
The eye-catching jerseys the Socceroos will wear with pride in Qatar (pictured, Bailey Wright's number eight jersey)
Both Mooy and Irvine have long worn the same number when representing
