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With Socceroos coach Graham Arnold to name his 26-man World Cup squad on November 8, anticipation is mounting among the Qatar squad.
Daily Mail Australia has broken down who will be on the coveted team sheet, who is in danger and who could be left heartbroken.
goalkeepers
With 75 international caps to his name, Mat Ryan is on a plane to the Middle East.
While he may be out of favor with FC Copenhagen, the 30-year-old is a favorite of Arnold’s and is also tipped to wear the captain’s armband.
Look for Mitch Langerak as his understudy, with Andrew ‘Grey Wiggle’ Redmayne as third pick.
Mat Ryan is a favorite of coach Graham Arnold – and will be Socceroos goalkeeper in Qatar despite being on the outside with his European club
Andrew Redmayne was the unexpected hero for the Socceroos in their epic World Cup qualifier win over Peru in June via penalty kicks – but should have been the third goalkeeper
Defenders
Aziz Behich looms large as the first-choice left-back thanks to his impressive form representing Scotland’s Dundee United.
Joel King is another option, as is the reborn Jason Davidson, one of Eupen’s best players in Belgium.
Right back it’s a two-way battle between Fran Karacic and Nathaniel Atkinson, with the latter said to be a fraction up front.
The Tasmanian junior will have to overcome an ankle injury, but the early diagnosis is promising.
Sydney FC veteran Rhyan Grant and Western United’s Josh Risdon are also under consideration.
Australia’s centre-back is likely to be Trent Sainsbury and Harry Souttar, with the towering Stoke City man always threatening set pieces.
Milos Degenek is expected to cover the injury-plagued – but talented – pair.
Aziz Behich looms up as the first choice of the roster at left-back, with Joel King and Jason Davidson the other options
midfield
Veteran Aaron Mooy is mentioned, and Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree offer steel in the middle of the park.
Given that Tom Rogic was disappointing in the championship at West Bromwich Albion, he may have left his roster too late.
If Ajdin Hrustic can prove that he has overcome his ankle complaint, he will also be mentioned.
Keanu Baccus is a potential outlier given his electric club form in Scotland with St Mirren and Roma sensation Cristian Volpato continues to knock on the door.
He has shown he can spark from the bench and if it works for Jose Mourinho, why not Arnold?
It will also see the uncapped Volpato playing for the Socceroos – not for Italy – for years to come when he takes on the battle in Qatar.
Martin Boyle has recovered from injury and should start Australia’s first game against France on November 23
The same cannot be said of Tom Rogic, who was disappointing after his move to the Championship in England with West Bromwich Albion
When it comes to wingers, Australia is spoiled for choice.
Melbourne City’s Mat Leckie is a roster, as is Awer Mabil, despite being out of favor with Spain’s La Liga outfit Cadiz.
Martin Boyle is also tipped to make the cut after a specialist gave the winger the green light to resume training after his knee injury.
Adelaide’s Craig Goodwin offers depth and Central Coast Mariners star Garang Kuol is an X-factor option alongside Macarthur FC pin-up boy Daniel Arzani.
It’s hard to believe that four years ago Arzani was the Socceroos’ next big player in Russia, only to see his career stalled due to injury.
He may have done enough to impress the coaching staff after a promising start to the A-League season.
attackers
Tim Cahill, anyone?
Unfortunately for Socceroos fans, the man who has scored so many crucial goals for the national team over the years hung up his football boots in 2018.
Instead, Arnold will look for Jamie Maclaren and Mitchell Duke to get a job done in the final third, with Scottish-born Jason Cummings also in the mix.
Adam Taggart looks cursed when it comes to injuries but can find the back of the net better than most.
Leckie and Kuol can top the table if Arnold wants to play two strikers against France, Tunisia and Denmark.