The Australian national team began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in November with a pair of victories.
The team was filled with experienced veterans such as Mathew Ryan, Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich, but things may change over the next couple of years.
These players will be in the twilight of their careers by the time the tournament comes around, and a fresh wave of talent will be needed to carry the torch.
Australia's football history has been punctuated by flashes of brilliance. There have been successful individual stars who have forged a name for themselves in different corners of the world.
Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka are among the names who immediately spring to mind, and they set the benchmark for a new generation of players aiming to make their mark in a major tournament.
Leicester City defender Harry Souttar will lead Australia’s backline and his defensive prowess will be crucial during qualification and at the showpiece event.
Several other youngsters are also looking to break into Graham Arnold's plans in the coming months including Westerlo left-back Jordan Bos.
He won the A-League Premiership with Melbourne City in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, attracting interest from Belgian Pro League club Westerlo.
Bos has continued to impress in Europe, making 15 league appearances. He has notched one goal and an assist while helping them keep three clean sheets.
His impressive showings have not gone unnoticed, and he received his maiden call-up to the national team in March 2023, debuting in a friendly against Ecuador.
Bos will be looking to cement his place in the first team as he targets a spot on the plane to the United States, Mexico and Canada for the 2026 World Cup.
Starlets Calem Nieuwenhof and Nesteroy Irankunda are also dreaming of breaking into the national team set-up after showing bags of potential.
Niewenhof is a highly touted prospect who made waves in the Australian A-League, starting with Sydney FC before moving to local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
He joined Scottish Premiership club Hearts this summer. The 22-year-old has established himself as a mainstay in the heart of Steven Naismith's midfield, making 17 out of a possible 21 league appearances.
After a bright start to his European adventure, Nieuwenhof will be desperate for Arnold to give him a chance with the national team in the coming games.
Irankunda has already secured a big move to Bayern Munich from Adelaide United. The Tanzania-born talent has been turning heads with his speed and finishing ability.
The AFC Asian Games in January offer the perfect opportunity for Australia to build some momentum. They are in a group alongside Syria, Uzbekistan and India.
Australia are expected to top the group, but any slip-ups could have dire ramifications for their title aspirations.
Online bookmakers rate them as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, with only Japan and South Korea ahead of them in the ante-post market.
Several betting sites in Australia have been inundated with wagers on Australia, who look good value at odds of 7.50 to win the tournament.
By contrast, the bookies’ odds of 501.00 to win the 2026 World Cup highlight the size of the task they face if they qualify for the tournament.
While no one realistically thinks they will achieve that feat, a run to the knockout stage of the competition should not be beyond them.
If challenges are met with resolve, the 2026 World Cup could be the stage where Australia's young guns announce themselves to the world if nurtured wisely.
They have reached the last-16 on two previous occasions (2006 & 2022) and a repeat performance should be the minimum expectation for the team in 2026.
