Australia will be watching at 4PM today, as Graham Arnold's 26-man Australia squad for the World Cup will be announced. Ahead of the reveal, FV has highlighted a number of Victorians who could be Qatar-bound.
For every player who has their name read out and realises their childhood dream, there will be countless others who will be forced to wait another four years or may never get the chance again to etch their name into the history at a World Cup.
While some players may be seen as certainties, other fates still remain up in the air and Football Victoria has cast it’s eye over a number of Victorians who may punch their ticket to Qatar.
DEFENDERS
Jason Davidson
The 31-year-old has impressed in the Belgian Pro League with Eupen this season, playing all 16 league games including last Sunday night's 2-0 win over bitter rivals Standard Liege. A natural left-back, he has shown his versatility with his new side, performing strongly as a center-back in a number of games when called upon.
After launching his senior career in 2009 with Hume City, Davidson has become a globetrotter in every sense of the word. His most successful stints throughout his 13-year career have come with Heracles Almelo, Huddersfield Town, FC Groningen and more recently Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory. On the national stage, Davidson has amassed 23 Socceroos caps, most notably achieving standout performances at the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup.
With Aziz Behich appearing Graham Arnold's first choice left back, Davidson would naturally provide superb cover across the backline and bring a wealth of experience to the squad.
Thomas Deng
The 25-year-old centre back’s position in the squad is not guaranteed, however would provide a reliable option if Harry Souttar fails to reach peak fitness.
The former Melbourne Victory player has shown great form for 2 League side Albirex Niigata in their surge towards making the Japanese topflight this season.
In the lead-up to Australia’s two match series against New Zealand in Septmeber Deng told FTBL.com it would be a “dream” to make it to Qatar.
“We are all unique as players - with me I’m quite comfortable on the ball and defensively I think I’m quick, dynamic and I cover a lot of ground," he said.
“I need to be patient and take things week by week. The World Cup is the absolute pinnacle.”
Aziz Behich
An underrated defender in the Socceroos camp, Behich was crucial across the qualifying campaign and is Australia’s first choice left-back.
Since signing for Scottish club Dundee United in July, the defender took some time to find his groove, but since settling in, he has found a rich vein of form, even finding the back of the net on two occasions.
In episode one of the Countdown to Qatar podcast Behich said it was a “dream come true” to represent the Subway Socceroos in all three matches at the 2018 World Cup.
“As a kid, you just want to represent your country,” he said.
“But obviously for me, I've got the honour and privilege to play at a World Cup, I played all three games, and I had my family and my wife in the stands.
“It's the pinnacle of football. You're representing your country in the biggest event in the world of any sport in my opinion, and then we’ve got another chance to do that in a month or so.”
On the verge of his second World Cup campaign, Behich told the ABC in October he wouldn’t take the experience for granted.
"The Socceroos mean something different to everyone, but for me personally, it's everything," he said.
"All of my decisions in football have been to play for the national team. Once you play for your country, there is no feeling like it.
"I'm so grateful to have an opportunity to go to another World Cup. It goes by so quickly that you don't really realise how special it is.”
Bailey Wright
The Sunderland defender staked his claim for a World Cup spot after a string of impressive performances in the Subway Socceroos' play-off campaign. Wright's junior career started with Langwarrin way back in 1998 before moving to Mornington, Dandenong Thunder and the Victorian National Training Centre. It was in 2009 where he got his international breakthrough, moving to Preston North End and amassing 179 appearances.
Wright has been a rock in Sunderland's backline and marked his 100th appearance for the Black Cats on October 2. Since then he has been doing everything possible to ensure he is ready if picked for the World Cup.
"I have been doing extra running, extra work, training with the under-23s and playing under-21 games," Wright told BBC Newcastle.
"I have definitely put the work in and got the reward of being back in the team. Playing definitely enhances your chances to get national team selection.
"But my mindset was, playing or not playing, to be as ready as I am. Hopefully that will do me the world of good in the coming weeks."
Socceroos great Robbie Slater endorsed Wright’s chances when speaking to Fox Sports News in the lead up to the World Cup’s squad announcement.
“Bailey Wright really put hand up during those play-offs, I have got Bailey Wright to start (at full-back) with Harry Souttar.”
MIDFIELDERS
Ajdin Hrustic
The 26-year-old sent a scare through Australian football when he suffered an ankle injury in Hellas Verona’s 2-1 loss to AC Milan in Serie A on October 16. However, in a timely boost for the Socceroos, the playmaker declared he was “confident” he would be right to go in time for the World Cup.
“It's looking good. Now I'm just trying to stay positive. I'm working on it every day, twice a day if I can,” the Subway Socceroos midfielder told Optus Sport.
“I'm in close contact with the medical staff back home and they seem positive.
“I actually had someone visit me from Australia here and they seem very positive, it calms me down a lot more and I'm trying to push myself twice as more just to be back as quickly as possible.”
The Dandenong-born midfielder’s class and ability to produce a game-breaking moment would surely be too hard to resist for Graham Arnold.
Jackson Irvine
The 29-year-old midfielder has all but cemented himself in the Socceroos’ midfield and is a near certainty to head to Qatar.
Irvine is not afraid to grind away at his opponent, but also has the class to get himself in vital positions in the opposition’s penalty area and create chances.
The FC St. Pauli captain told the Countdown to Qatar podcast he still couldn't comprehend that he could inspire the next generation of Socceroos if he takes his place at the World Cup.
“The thought that that's even in the realm of possibility is still absolutely bizarre to me,” he conceded.
“But you know, the fact that somewhere out there, is that kid who's going to be, as you say, sitting in this position in 10 years’ time having the same conversation.
“And if you can give them some small piece of access to that to that world or show them that it's possible – that it can be done.”
Jake Brimmer
Brimmer has been a revelation for Melbourne Victory since signing for the club in 2020 and his excellent Isuzu Ute A-League form alone would warrant a call-up to the national side.
The midfielder was awarded Australian domestic football’s highest individual honour at the conclusion of last season after his stellar second season at Melbourne Victory. The reigning Victory medallist has scored two goals in five matches this season and most recently delivered a sublime assist to Nick D'Agostino to open the scoring against Newcastle on November 4.
At 24 years old, Brimmer is yet to make a senior Socceroos appearance but has a donned the Green and Gold at both Under-17 and Under-20 level.
Denis Genreau
A classy attacking midfielder, the French-born Genreau grew up in Melbourne, progressing through Melbourne City's youth setup. 52 caps in City's NPL side led to him to break through to the senior squad, earning his first senior start at 17. Since then, he has enjoyed successful stints at PEC Zwolle, Macarthur FC and now Toulouse.
He was a key part of the squad that earned promotion to Ligue 1 last year and while he hasn't played as consistently this season, the 23-year-old will be confident in earning a spot in Arnold's final squad. Genreau has earned four senior caps for the Socceroos to date.
Connor Metcalfe
Metcalfe was born in Newcastle, NSW but made his name progressing through Victoria's talented player pathways. Metcalfe represented Victoria as a youth and caught the eye of national selectors in 2014 at the National Training Centre Challenge.
Progressing through Melbourne City's scholarship program and appearing 32 times for City's NPL side, he became a mainstay in the senior team at just 21 years of age.
After 73 senior games for Melbourne City, Metcalfe earned his European breakthrough in February this year when he signed for St. Pauli and now plays alongside fellow Aussie Jackson Irvine. The young midfielder has already earned five senior Socceroos caps and would add quality and depth to Arnold's midfield.
FORWARDS
Jamie Maclaren
Maclaren is a certainty to be on the plane to Qatar on the back of terrific goal-scoring form for Melbourne City in the Isuzu Ute A-League.
In Melbourne City’s round five pre-match press conference Jamie Maclaren conceded it would mean “everything” to be included in the World Cup squad.
“You only get picked due to form, fitness, health and a lot of factors that need to be ticked,” Maclaren said.
“And you know, a lot of us at Melbourne City have been playing and doing well and all you can do is control what you can control and that’s keeping your head down working hard and being in the right mindset.
Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo said it would be “great” to have players from not just his side, but the A-League representing Australia at the World Cup.
‘Hopefully there is representatives from all clubs, is that realistic I don’t know,” he said.
“We are happy that we can help the country and our club by having representatives in the Socceroos.”
Matthew Leckie
Subway Socceroos veteran Matthew Leckie is hopeful of being named for his third consecutive World Cup and after an encouraging start to the season for Melbourne City, he may have stamped his ticket.
“I’m not taking anything for granted; there are no guarantees,” Leckie said.
“For me, it’s important to stay healthy, stay fit and be playing well.
“There are some fresh faces who want to show what they do and give themselves every chance to make that final (World Cup) squad.
“It’s a good mix … a lot of hungry players (and) a lot of motivated players that are at different stages in their career.
“I’m always hungry. I’ve been in the set-up for a while now, but I’m still feeling very fit.”
Paramount+ analyst Daniel McBreen was full of praise for the winger after scoring his first goal (five shots) of the season in Melbourne City’s 4-0 victory over Perth Glory.
“Leckie in particular for me, he has been amazing. Majority of their play every week comes down his left side,” he said
“When he moves into that 10 role, he is so influential there. To get his goal at the end capped off a really great performance for him.”
Garang Kuol
The Shepparton product is the definition of a bolter, having burst onto the scene in the past 12 months, impressing off the bench for the Central Coast Mariners.
Bound for the Premier League and Newcastle United in January, Kuol is bidding farewell to the Isuzu Ute A-League in style, having made an impact in his last two fixtures when called upon.
The 18-year-old is Australia’s wildcard for the World Cup and former Socceroo Robbie Slater told Fox Sports News the youngster should be in Australia’s final squad of 26.
“I think he is on the plane, … he will be used a little bit how (Daniel) Arzani was four years ago as that impact player off the bench,” he said.
“Despite not having started a match yet for the Mariners, Slater believed Socceroos’ coach Graham Arnold won’t be deterred from selecting the electric forward.
“He is not ready to start a game at a world cup, but .. the case of Garang Kuol has to be judged completely differently to everyone else because we only know him as an impact player coming off the bench,” Slater explained.
“What we do know is that every time he has done it he has made an impact.”