Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli named Juventus star Arturo Vidal in his World Cup team to face Australia in Cuiaba on Friday.

The 28-year-old midfielder's participation was in jeopardy after struggling with an inflammation to his right knee following surgery on a meniscus problem last month.

He played a 15 minute cameo role in a friendly last week but then missed a handful of training sessions before returning to prepare for this Group B encounter with his teammates on Wednesday.

He was accorded a rousing reception from the 20,000-strong Chile support at the Arena Pantanal when taking to the pitch for the pre-match warm-up.

Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez led the Chile attack against an Australia side captained by Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak.

Australia's all-time top goalscorer Tim Cahill, appearing like fellow veteran Mark Bresciano in his third World Cup, and Mathew Leckie led the Socceroos frontline.