Australia World Cup 2022 squad, predicted line-up versus Argentina and star players

Mathew Ryan is both the captain of the team and top choice between the sticks.

Andrew Redmayne was the penalty shoot-out hero that helped Australia beat Peru in the qualifiers, while Danny Vukovic has experience from the previous World Cup.

Aziz Behich boasts plenty of experience and gets the nod for Qatar, with Bailey Wright and Milos Degenek also making the cut.

Harry Souttar, Joel King and Nathaniel Atkinson represent younger, but promising options in defence.

Trent Sainsbury, however, was somewhat surprisingly left out.

There's no looking past Aaron Mooy in midfield, with the talented playmaker having proven that he has what it takes to shine at the highest level.

Ajdin Hrustic and Jackson Irvine have also shown what they're capable of in Europe, with a number of less experienced options keen to break into the team, too.

Tom Rogic did not make the cut following his controversial decision not to make himself available for selection for the decisive qualification play-offs.

Mathew Leckie offers experience out wide, while Awer Mabil represents another strong option on the wings.

Jamie Maclaren, meanwhile, will fancy his chances of seeing game time as well, having impressed through the middle previously.

A lot of eyes will be on Garang Kuol, with the promising youngster recently earning a move to Newcastle United after enjoying a bit of a breakthrough season at Central Coast Mariners.

Mathew Leckie has become a household name in world football after he guided the Socceroos to a famous 1-0 win over Denmark to register a knockout berth for the first time since 2006.

Mitchell Duke is another player who has the potential to trouble any defence in the World Cup. It was his opportunistic strike against Tunisia that lent Graham Arnold's side their first win for over a decade in the tournament and he will once again be key in the knockout stages.

Central defenders Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar quickly learned from their mistakes against France and put in solid performances against Tunisia and Denmark. However, the going gets tougher from here on and their mettle will be tested to the limits.

Captain Mat Ryan takes his place in goal, while the centre-back pairing of Rowles and Souttar should continue to feature along with Aziz Behich and Fran Karacic as the two full-backs.

Keanu Baccus might get a start after his impressive second half display against Denmark, while Mooy and Irvine could slot in at the centre of the park.

Leckie should continue to feature on the right with Duke and McGree as the two forwards upfront.

Australia XI (4-4-2): Ryan; Behich, Rowles, Souttar, Karacic; Baccus, Mooy, Irvine, Leckie; Duke, McGree.

Arnold did not hesitate to make some tough decisions as he left out multiple seasoned internationals who would have expected to get the nod, even though each had their own personal circumstances complicating matters.