Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill rates his side's opening match against Germany the toughest game Australia has faced in its World Cup history.

The Socceroos kick off on Sunday night (Mon AM AEST) in Durban against the three-time winners and masters of tournament play.

Neill was a veteran of the 2006 campaign which featured matches against Brazil and Italy.

But he believes taking on Germany in the first of their Group D encounters looms as more difficult than those matches - both of which the Socceroos lost.

"They always seem to make the quarter-final, semi-final or final - it's probably the toughest game in our short history in the World Cup," Neill said of the Germans on Saturday.

"We're taking on a team that's so consistent, all their players play in great leagues in Europe, they all go into the game extremely confident.

"The other two teams in the group are chasing Germany. We all regard Germany as the best team."

Coach Pim Verbeek said all his players - including Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell - were fit for the match at the spectacular 70,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The stadium's distinguishing feature is a stunning 350-metre long arch as part of its roof structure.

Both sides will play 4-2-3-1 formations, with Australia likely to start with Josh Kennedy up front and Kewell on the bench to decide their only starting 11 dilemma.

Cahill and Emerton are expected to start in midfield.

Germany have a similar dilemma with their lone striker's role, Miroslav Klose expected to get the nod over impressive former Brazilian Cacau.

Neill said the Socceroos' long preparation, including training camps in Melbourne and at altitude in Johannesburg, could be the trump card in a match where they are unfancied $7.00 outsiders.

"I think we've prepared as well as we can prepare. It's been a well thought out process," Neill said.

"We come here in good shape and probably the best anyone could try and put us in."

The Socceroos' other two group matches are against Ghana in Rustenburg on June 19 and Serbia in Nelspruit on June 23.

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