Two Group Stage eliminations have followed Australia's celebrated progression to the World Cup's last 16 some 12 years ago, and coach van Marwijk has been tasked with taking the Socceroos to new heights.
We continue our series of Expert Views with a look at the Green and Gold's chances at Russia 2018 with a focus on tactics, key players and predictions.
Our Australia expert is Sebastian Hassett, an Australian football journalist for the past 15 years, featuring a decade at the Sydney Morning Herald, alongside stints at SBS Television and The World Game website. He is a graduate of the FIFA Master programme.
What does Australia expect from this World Cup?
Few nations will head to Russia with such a kaleidoscope of expectations. When the 2018 draw came out, there was initial hope that the Socceroos would be an outside chance of sneaking through the group in second place.
But having changed managers so close to the tournament – allied to a questionable array of class and depth at Bert van Marwijk’s disposal – hopes of qualification for the knockout stages have been steadily diluted. The frenzied belief that an uncapped teenager (Daniel Arzani) can alter Australia’s destiny perhaps reveals the public's acceptance that it will be much tougher than first thought.
What's the most important thing for the team to do to have a successful World Cup?
Australia has problems in defence – especially at left and right-back – that have regularly been exposed, not least in qualifying for this World Cup. Teams that play with pace and width will cause Australia great trouble and this will have surely have been identified by opposition teams as a weakness. Australia simply must find a way to mitigate the risk, even if it means captain Mile Jedinak needs to push back to create a five-man rear-guard in defensive transition.
Which player will have the biggest impact?
Maty Ryan is an exceptional goalkeeper and despite his relative youth, he has chalked up a World Cup and an Asian Cup (which Australia won) on his resume. He’s played in Belgium, Spain and is now doing extremely well with Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Premier League.
Australia will be leaning heavily on Ryan to carry his domestic form to Russia. If he can keep a clean sheet or two, then Australia’s chances of making an impact will rapidly improve.
Which is your favourite World Cup memory?
Qualifying for the second round of the 2006 World Cup would be difficult to top. It proved to the world that Australia was a respectable football nation and that they possessed the quality to get out of an extremely challenging group (Brazil, Croatia and Japan). It was a breakthrough moment for the sport.
Australia is unusually connected to all three of those nations for differing football reasons – and to make it through with a late Harry Kewell equaliser against Croatia was a poignant moment for the entire nation, not just the football community.
Which one player from the past would benefit the current team the most, and why?
The one thing Australia probably lacks right now is a world-class player; one who could be relied upon to turn a game at any moment, and one who would constantly require monitoring by the opposition.
Although Mark Viduka had a mixed career for Australia (at least in terms of goals) he would immediately fill the class hole that is currently there at the point of the attack. He would also provide the leadership that the team desperately needs.
What do you predict the starting XI will be?
4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Maty Ryan
Defence: Aziz Behich, Matthew Jurman, Trent Sainsbury, Josh Risdon
Midfield: Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy
Robbie Kruse, Tom Rogic, Mathew Leckie
Forward: Tomi Juric
What are your predictions for the three group stage matches?
vs France: 0-3 Defeat
vs Denmark: 1-2 Defeat
vs Peru: 1-1 Draw
