Newcastle United-bound forward Garang Kuol has been selected to go to the World Cup as a wildcard selection in Australia's 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar.
Kuol, who will join Newcastle in January, received his first call-up by Australia boss Graham Arnold in September. He made his international debut as a substitute in the second game of a double header against New Zealand, which Australia won 2-0 in Auckland.
The 18-year-old has never started a senior international game but took just seven minutes to mark his debut with a goal in December last year - becoming Central Coast Mariners' youngest-ever goal scorer in the process.
' READ NEXT: It's a bit mad', Newcastle United ace Elliot Anderson's journey from the away end to the first-team stage
He made his A-League debut in April and scored four goals in nine league appearances during his maiden season - averaging 2.48 goals per 90. Kuol missed the first three A-League games of the season after being called up by Australia U20s, but returned to register two assists from the bench in Saturday's victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.
"Garang has really shown how he can change a game," Arnold revealed to Fox Sports. "I watched him with the Under-20s national team and I've watched what he can do individually.
"He fit into the Socceroos family so well and really he's a player that has absolutely zero fear when he goes out and he wants to entertain.
"When we talk about an impact player, a player who can do something different for us, someone that can have a 1v1 individual action and have a moment that can change the course of the game, I think Garang can be that player."
Australia feature in a group containing reigning world champions France, Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark and Tunisia.
The Socceroos play all three of their group games in Al Wakrah. They open the tournament against France on November 23, and play three days later when they meet Tunisia. They conclude the group against Denmark on December 1.
Australia's full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (c), Danny Vukovic, Andrew Redmayne.
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Kye Rowes, Harry Souttar, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Bailey Wright.
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy, Riley McGree.
Forward: Craig Goodwin, Martin Boyle, James Maclaren, Anwer Mabil, Mat Leckie, Garang Kuol, Mitchell Duke, Jason Cummings.
READ NEXT
- Southampton 1-4 Newcastle United: Magpies run riot on the South Coast with statement victory
- Eddie Howe's frightening Premier League confession after Newcastle United's 4-1 win at Southampton
- Almiron runs show, Bruno makes it tick: Newcastle United player ratings in 4-1 win at Southampton
- Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe shares what 'surprised' him on first day of Toon job
- Newcastle's scary warning to Premier League, Sven Botman's fury and ruthless Bruno - 5 things
