Get to know your 2018 Socceroos FIFA World Cup squad

Before the Socceroos get their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign underway, WWOS has put together a bit of information about each of the 23 players selected in Bert van Marwijk’s squad heading to Russia.

Australia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup is their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance after their qualification for the 2006 edition ended with a magical run to the Round of 16.

The Socceroos have however since been bundled out in the group stage of both the 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament, and only veteran striker Tim Cahill remains from the legendary 2006 squad.

Cahill, at age 38, is the oldest member of the team that contains a good mix of veterans and young up-and-coming stars such as 19-year-old sensation Daniel Arzani.

Goalkeepers

1. Matthew Ryan
Age: 26
Club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
Caps: 43
Goals: 0

Ryan has been Australia’s shot-stopper of choice since the 2014 World Cup, and is coming off a terrific season for Brighton & Hove in the English Premier League.

18. Danny Vukovic
Age: 33
Club: KRC Genk (Belgium)
Caps: 1
Goals: 0
Moved to Belgium after more than a decade of distinguished domestic seasons, winning a deputy role behind Ryan.

12. Brad Jones
Age: 36
Club: Feyenoord Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Caps: 6
Goals: 0
Recalled after a four-year absence, withdrew from Australia's 2010 World Cup squad when his son was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Defenders

2. Milos Degenek
Age: 24
Club: Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan)
Caps: 18
Goals: 0
Contender for right-back but, tough and uncompromising, also adept in a central defensive post.

19. Josh Risdon
Age: 25
Club: Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia)
Caps: 8
Goals: 0
Might just have won the right-back role with a fine showing against the Czechs, showing his fine fitness and speed.

20. Trent Sainsbury
Age: 26
Club: Grasshoppers (Switzerland)
Caps: 35
Goals: 3
Has made a centre-back posting his own with a string of composed displays and took the armband in Austria.

16. Aziz Behich
Age: 27
Club: Bursaspor (Turkey)
Caps: 23
Goals: 2
Left-back with a happy knack of drifting forward, solidified his spot during the qualification campaign to be first-choice.

6. Matthew Jurman
Age: 28
Club: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Korea Republic)
Caps: 4
Goals: 0
Strong defender who moved to South Korea from Sydney FC to press his claims as a starting centre-back.

3. James Meredith
Age: 30
Club: Milwall (England)
Caps: 2
Goals: 0
Experienced and versatile defender who hasn't featured for his country since late in 2015. Makes the cut as back up on the left.

5. Mark Milligan
Age: 32
Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
Caps: 71
Goals: 6
Competitive leader, made his name in midfield but looms as one of van Marwijk's preferred central defenders.

Midfielders

22. Jackson Irvine
Age: 25
Club: Hull City (England)
Caps: 19
Goals: 2
Smooth-moving, looms as a solid bench option given the squeeze for starting midfield spots. Can play as a 10 or deeper.

23. Tom Rogic
Age: 25
Club: Celtic FC (Scotland)
Caps: 37
Goals: 7
The lanky midfielder holds much of Australia's X-Factor, with a genuine touch of magic and a lethal left-foot strike.

8. Massimo Luongo
Age: 25
Club: Queens Park Rangers (England)
Caps: 36
Goals: 5
Classy customer continuing to blossom after being player of the tournament in the 2015 Asian Cup.

13. Aaron Mooy
Age: 27
Club: Huddersfield Town (England)
Caps: 34
Goals: 5
A linchpin in midfield, can play holding or attacking roles and has upper-class foot skills.

15. Mile Jedinak (Captain)
Age: 33
Club: Aston Villa (England)
Caps: 76
Goals: 18
Stoic captain as a holding midfielder but also used in defence at Aston Villa. Appearing at his third World Cup.

Forwards

17. Daniel Arzani
Age: 19
Club: Melbourne City FC (Australia)
Caps: 2
Goals: 1
The A-League's young footballer of the year has dazzling skills and innate goal-scoring sense. Could be the youngest man in Russia.

14. Jamie Maclaren
Age: 24
Club: Hibernian (Scotland)
Caps: 6
Goals: 0
Goal poacher that was ditched from calculations only to win a reprieve due to Juric's knee issues. Adds a new dimension in attack.

11. Andrew Nabbout
Age: 25
Club: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Caps: 4
Goals: 1
The converted winger caught the eye of the new coach in the A-League, then moved to Japan.

21. Dimitri Petratos
Age: 25
Club: Newcastle Jets (Australia)
Caps: 2
Goals: 0
Attacking midfielder rewarded for a stellar domestic season, won out in a scrap to make the final cut.

9. Tomi Juric
Age: 26
Club: Luzern FC (Switzerland)
Caps: 35
Goals: 8
Strong striker who established himself as the frontman in attack during the qualification campaign but carrying a knee issue.

7. Matthew Leckie
Age: 27
Club: Hertha BSC (Germany)
Caps: 53
Goals: 8
Bustling and speedy, has impressed in the Bundesliga and is a key cog in Australia's starting line-up, as shown by his double against Czech Republic.

10. Robbie Kruse
Age: 29
Club: VfL Bochum (Germany)
Caps: 64
Goals: 5
Attacking midfielder/forward with dash and dare, often a whipping boy of fans expecting more from his talent.

4. Tim Cahill
Age: 38
Club: Milwall (England)
Caps: 106
Goals: 50
Among the nation's greatest-ever sportsmen, could become the fourth man to score at four consecutive World Cups.

Squad composition by Club nation

England – 7
Australia – 3
Germany – 2
Japan – 2
Switzerland – 2
Scotland – 2
Belgium – 1
Netherlands – 1
Saudi Arabia – 1
Korea Republic – 1
Turkey – 1

Australia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign gets underway on Saturday 16^th of June as they take on France at Kazan Arena with kick off scheduled at 8pm AEST.

- With AAP