Australia, which will take on Croatia in Stuttgart on Thursday, only needs to draw to be almost certain of qualifying for the second stage of the tournament.

In a letter to Australian team coach Guus Hiddink and captain Mark Viduka, saying "Australians everywhere will be wishing you and the team all the very best for your match against Croatia in Stuttgart."

"Good luck in qualifying for the second round of the World Cup, " he wrote.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who is in a visit to Europe, will be the federal government's representative at the match.