Iraq faces Brazil to prepare for Socceroos

Australia faces Iraq on Doha on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) in a match pivotal to its hopes of qualifying for a third successive World Cup.

And while Socceroos coach Holger Osieck opted to scrap a planned friendly against United Arab Emirates to keep his players fresh, Iraq has journeyed more than 3000km for its pre-match hit-out on Thursday (Friday AEDT).

Keen to test itself against high quality opposition, Iraq - coached by Brazil legend Zico - turned to Swiss promoter Marc Biolley to organise the match, which will be held in the Swedish city of Malmo.

FIFA refuses to allow the troubled Middle Eastern country to play home matches after a chaotic match against Jordan in the city of Erbil, capital of the Iraqi region of Kurdistan.

Iraq is at least banking on some 'home' support against Brazil as there is a large immigrant community in Malmo.

The logistics also make sense for Brazil, which has automatically qualified as host for the 2014 World Cup, with many of its players based in Europe.

Those stars include Paris Saint Germain defender Thiago Silva but also Real Madrid veteran Kaka, who has been named to win his 83rd cap two years on from his last appearance.

The Socceroos are already preparing in Doha, as the team looks to improve from last month's shock 2-1 loss to Jordan.

With five matches to play in the final phase of qualification, Australia sits third on two points in Group B behind Japan (10 points) and Jordan (four) but is only ahead of Iraq and Oman on goal difference.

Only the top two finishers book direct qualification, with Japan already looking assured of clinching the top spot.

The third place finisher can still qualify but has to win play-offs against another Asian team and the fifth-placed South American team.