Every member of the Socceroos squad has a unique football journey to representing Australia on the biggest stage of all, the FIFA World Cup.
But to get to the top it does not happen overnight. It takes years of hard work, dedication, determination, sprinkled in with a little bit of luck too.
The foundations to playing professional football are laid at a grassroots club, where each player's journey to Qatar started as kids.
It is there where aspiring youngsters, learn and hone their skills, spending countless hours on the training pitch in the hope of one day turning their dreams into a reality, and following in the footsteps of their idols.
The current squad is made up of a diverse group, with junior clubs across Australia and even internationally.
For 17 players in the side, this is their maiden World Cup and all of them began playing the game they love at a local club and progressed from there.
For the likes of Mathew Ryan and Mathew Leckie this is their third appearance at the major tournament – a testament to their quality and longevity.
There really isn’t a sport which induces that passion and unbridled joy quite like football it is why it’s the world game.
Football is already the most diverse and inclusive sport in Australia, with programs and competitions catering for everyone irrespective of ability, age, gender, race, and religion.
It’s also the number one team participation sport across in Australia, with over one and a half million people enjoying the many benefits that football can deliver including camaraderie, community, friendship, and teamwork, not to mention improved physical and mental health.
Australia Grassroots Clubs:
TAS: Nathaniel Atkinson (Riverside Olympic FC)
NSW: Keanu Baccus (Parklea FC), Milos Degenek (Blacktown City), Cameron Devlin (Sutherland Sharks), Mitch Duke (Liverpool Rangers SC), Joel King (Shellharbour Junior FC), Aaron Mooy (Carlingford Redbacks), Andrew Redmayne (Gosford City Dragons), Mathew Ryan (Blacktown City), Danny Vukovic (St Clair United), Marco Tilio (APIA Leichhardt/Sydney Olympic)
QLD: Kye Rowles (Palm Beach SC)
VIC: Bailey Wright (Langwarrin SC), Mathew Leckie (Brimbank Stallions), Garang Kuol (Goulburn Valley Suns), Jackson Irvine (Ringwood City SC), Ajdin Hrustic (Heatherton United), Aziz Behich (Meadow Park SC), Jamie Maclaren (Green Gully SC)
SA: Thomas Deng (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Craig Goodwin (Munno Para City), Awer Mabil (Saint Augustines FC), Riley McGree (Gawler Eagles)
Be inspired today and find your place and register your interest in football for 2023 at playfootball.com.au.