Lucas Neill is in line to earn his 50th cap for Australia after being named in Pim Verbeek's squad for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 Group 1 matches against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan in June.
Socceroos captain Neill, who has 48 caps, is almost certain to lead his country to their second consecutive World Cup finals tournament. Dutchman Verbeek's side need just a point from their three remaining fixtures to be assured of a place in South Africa.
Sydney-born Neill, 31, is one of eleven English-based players in the 30-man squad, which also includes Hull City's former West Ham forward Richard Garcia, who won the FA Youth Cup during his time at the Boleyn Ground in 1998/99.
Everton's Tim Cahill, Blackburn Rovers' Vince Grella, Fulham's Mark Schwarzer and Galatasaray's former Leeds United and Liverpool forward Harry Kewell are also all included.
Australia, who sit two points clear of Japan and six points above third-placed Bahrain at the top of their group, have won four and drawn one of their five qualifying matches without conceding a single goal.
The Socceroos head for Doha to take on Qatar on Saturday 6 June before returning home to take on Bahrain in Sydney on Wednesday 10 June. Neill and his team-mates will complete their qualification campaign with a home fixture against Japan in Melbourne on Wednesday 17 June.
Should Australia pick up the point they need, it would take them to the World Cup finals for just the third time in their history. At the 2006 finals, Australia beat Japan and drew with Croatia to finish second in Group F.