Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo is looking forward to facing up against Paul Pogba when the two come head to head in Australia’s opening World Cup fixture with France on Saturday.

In what is expected to be an intriguing battle in the middle of the park, Luongo admits it will be a massive challenge facing someone ‘who is capable of doing something special’.

Speaking to the international press ahead of the big game, the R’s Player of the Year said: “The pressure is always on him (Pogba) because of how much he costs.

“Maybe he’s not doing enough, but if other midfielders can do half the things he does, then I think they’re a pretty good player.

“A lot of eyes will be on him, I think he’s capable of doing something special.”

The 25-year-old stated that Australia will be playing to win when facing Les Blues in Kazan.

“At this level, everyone is even, the win is there for the taking,” he said.

“Individually, yeah, they’ve got some big, world class players especially in midfield.

“We’ve been working on a way to play as a team and the manager’s experience is doing it with a really good team, not individuals.

“It’s up for the taking, we’ve got to make sure we’re on, more than 100 per cent because of their individual talents.”

The two sides meet in the World Cup on Saturday at 11am.