It is a tough draw for the Socceroos who will face three physical sides as they look to reach the knock-out stages as they did last time in Germany.

Elsewhere, hosts South Africa have been paired up with France in Group A, England got off with an easier draw in Group C, while Brazil and Portugal will meet in Group G.

New Zealand were drawn in Group F with reigning world champions Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia.

"It is fantastic," said Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek after the draw. "Germany are one of best teams in the world, so it will be a great opening game for us. [The draw] could have been worst."

GROUP A
Team 1: South Africa
Team 2: Mexico
Team 3: Uruguay
Team 4: France

GROUP B
Team 1: Argentina
Team 2: South Korea
Team 3: Nigeria
Team 4: Greece

GROUP C
Team 1: England
Team 2: USA
Team 3: Algeria
Team 4: Slovenia

GROUP D
Team 1: Germany
Team 2: Australia
Team 3: Ghana
Team 4: Serbia

GROUP E
Team 1: Netherlands
Team 2: Japan
Team 3: Cameroon
Team 4: Denmark

GROUP F
Team 1: Italy
Team 2: New Zealand
Team 3: Paraguay
Team 4: Slovakia

GROUP G
Team 1: Brazil
Team 2: North Korea
Team 3: Ivory Coast
Team 4: Portugal

GROUP H
Team 1: Spain
Team 2: Honduras
Team 3: Chile
Team 4: Switzerland