analysis
Just how far can the Socceroos go at the FIFA World Cup, and what is a pass mark?
Australia is in a sixth-straight World Cup, with aspirations of going further than any other Socceroos side has before them. (AAP Image: Rob Prezioso)
"One day Australia will go very far in the World Cup."
That's been Tony Popovic's go-to refrain when asked how far his Socceroos side can go at the World Cup.
Two decades on from Australia's golden generation, the Socceroos are in a sixth-straight FIFA World Cup, but have never made it beyond the first knock-out stage.
"Why not this group?" Popovic said.
Tony Popovic has complete belief in his squad as the Socceroos World Cup campaign looms. (AAP/Football Australia)
Unlike in 2006, the Socceroos have avoided a group with a genuine powerhouse. They play co-host and world number 16 USA, 22nd ranked Türkiye, and Paraguay, which is ranked 41st. Australia is 27th.
For context, Australia has twice been grouped with France, and once each with Brazil, Germany and Netherlands in its World Cup appearances since 2006.
Way back in 1974, the Socceroos were drawn with hosts and eventual champions West Germany.
Archie Thompson played 54 games for Australia, scoring 28 goals. (Getty Images: Matt King)
This time it's different, according to former Socceroos striker Archie Thompson.
"This group is probably one of the more competitive groups in terms of there's not too much difference between some of the squads," he said.
"I believe that Türkiye side is incredible. I think they should go through. I look at their players and where they're playing and the quality of football they do play. I think they're going to be the ones that top the group.
"Then it's kind of a roll-your-dice sort of thing."
Real Madrid's Arda Guler is one of Türkiye's best players and will be a massive threat for the Socceroos. (Getty Images: Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu)
Where do the goals come from?
Much of the excitement around Australia's squad has been on the development of striker Mo Toure and the impressive form of Nestory Irankunda, especially in recent outings for the Socceroos.
Mo Toure shapes as the Socceroos' major strike weapon, though Nestory Irankunda could be the X factor. (Getty: Dan Istitene)
But Thompson isn't convinced Australia has enough quality in attack to really threaten good sides.
"I feel a bit nervous for the Socceroos because I think defensively they're strong enough, which sometimes is good in World Cups, but you just need something up front," he said.
"I don't know if we've got enough up front to be able to get us through."
Bookmakers tend to agree, with Australia well and truly considered the least likely to advance from the group.
Former US international, Alexi Lalas, stirred the pot when he described the Socceroos as "an average team by any measure, and certainly not a great team" on his podcast.
It's difficult to get a read on how the Socceroos stack up against their group opponents, having played them a combined eight times in history.
A war of words between former USA players and the Socceroos has added spark to what will be a blockbuster World Cup clash. (Getty Images: Omar Vega)
Australia has never beaten Türkiye, though their two losses from the only two friendlies between the two countries came in 2004, so those results seem irrelevant.
On the flip side, the Socceroos have never lost to Paraguay, beating them in 2010 and drawing in 2006.
The USA is the country that form may actually indicate how the sides shape up. They met in a friendly late last year, with the US winning at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The previous three matches between the sides are split as a win each, and a draw.
For Thompson, getting out of the group would constitute a successful campaign.
"I give a pass every time we get out of that group stage. I think it's so hard," he said.
"There's no easy games. You look at Paraguay, you look at the United States — these are the teams if we can get kind of a result, a couple of good results against them, I think we should be able to get through.
"I'm grateful for the group that we've got."
The Popovic effect
Tony Popovic took over a Socceroos side on the brink of missing the World Cup, and turned things around in spectacular style.
He was unbeaten across his first 11 games in charge, which included eight wins, one of which came against Asian powerhouse Japan.
Tony Popovic inherited a struggling Socceroos, and guided them into a sixth-straight World Cup. (Getty Images: James Worsfold)
The shine has come off slightly since October last year, with the Socceroos losing three consecutive matches against the US, Venezuela and Colombia, before winning friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao in March.
His side produced an impressive second half against Mexico in late May, and then repeated the dose a week later with a draw against Switzerland in San Diego.
Making it to the knockout stage of this tournament will be a challenge, and going deeper than that would be considered a roaring success.
But as Popovic keeps saying: "Why not this group?"