The Australians - who moved to Asia from the Oceania Football Confederation in 2005 in a bid to progress the game in the country - won the AFC Asian Cup title on home soil last year after a 2-1 victory over South Korea in the final in Sydney.

They have qualified for the past three World Cups, reaching the round of 16 in Germany in 2006 before exiting in the group stage in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil in 2014.

Their clashes with the Japanese in Group B will provide stand-out fixtures as the race for the 2018 World Cup, which will be held in Russia, reaches its conclusion.

Japan, who have won the Asian Cup four times including the 2011 edition in Qatar, are hoping to play in a sixth World Cup in a row.

They made it to the round of 16 at the 2002 tournament which they co-hosted with South Korea, and fell at the same stage in South Africa.

The two powerhouses will be joined in Group B by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Thailand.

"It’s good to know the draw so we have a clear picture of what is in front of us from a football and logistics perspective to qualify for the World Cup,” said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou, who attended the draw in Malaysia's capital.

"Over the last two years we have built up a very strong portfolio of information on most Asian nations and its players by having scouts at matches and tournaments all over Asia so the players go into every match well prepared.

"That information will be sharpened and expanded now we know that we face Japan, Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

“As champions of Asia we will show due respect to all countries but focused on continuing our journey that has aspirations greater than simply qualifying for the World Cup.”

In Group A, Iran and South Korea will be the favourites to progress to Russia.

Iran were knocked out in the group stage in Brazil after failing to qualify for South Africa, while the Koreans have contested every single World Cup since Mexico 1986.

Completing the group will be Uzbekistan, China, Qatar and Syria.

Both group winners and runners-up will confirm their place at the 2018 World Cup, with every team facing each other home and away from September.

The two countries which finish third will then meet each other in a two-leg play-off on on October 5 and 10 in 2017.

The side to progress will head into another two leg play-off against the fourth-placed country from Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) qualifying, with the winner of that tie heading to Russia.