To fill the days until Atlanta United resumes play, here is a country-by-country, way-too-early alphabetical look at each team that has qualified to play in the World Cup in Russia next summer:
Australia
FIFA rank: 39
Coach: Vacant
Previous appearances: 4 (1974, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Best finish: Round of 16 (2006)
Nickname: Socceroos
Goals scored/allowed during qualification: 16/11
Population: 24.1 million
GDP (rank): 1,359.732 (13)
Players you should know: Tim Cahill formerly played at Everton in the EPL and New York Red Bulls in MLS. Yes, he’s still playing.
Aaron Mooy plays for Huddersfield Town in the EPL.
Any ties to Atlanta United? No
Has Australia ever been mentioned in the Simpsons? Yes
OK, but what about Modern Family? Yes
Australia in the news right now: The country passed a same-sex marriage bill
Previous World Cup capsules:
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