Perhaps not since Australia's inaugural World Cup appearance in 1974 has the team faced such a challenge at world football's showpiece.
A young side, light on experience and light on big names but also, reassuringly, light on expectation.
Coach Ange Postecoglou has peppered his team with a few seasoned veterans, Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill, though he's left Josh Kennedy and Luke Wilkshere out of the final squad.
When unveiling his World Cup squad, Postecoglou said it's a rejuvenation cycle the national team had to have.
"I guess they get an opportunity. Even the experienced players at some point got an opportunity and that's what we've given this group of players," he said.
"Obviously it's a major challenge because we're taking them to the toughest tournament on Earth and I guess the best opposition in the world. But within that, there is a unique opportunity for them."
"I've got a great deal of faith in our younger players and my job is to make sure that, along with the staff, we prepare them as well as possible."
The younger players he's referring to include Ivan Franjic, Bailey Wright, Jason Davidson, Oliver Bozanic, Ben Halloran and Adam Taggart.
Most football lovers agree the goal for Australia this World Cup is simply not to get smashed by their world class opposition and just maybe even cause an upset.
As the number one ranked team in the world, Spain will be a formidable opponent.
Coach Vicente del Bosque has at his disposal the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso in the midfield.
Retired Spain legend Fernando Hierro told Fifa TV there is belief in the Spanish camp the team can win back-to-back World Cups.
"When we lost to Switzerland, everyone said that no team had ever lost their first match and won the World Cup. Now they say that no defending champion [has ever won a World Cup]. Well, that's the challenge. Statistics are there to be broken. Nothing else."
As if the task could get no harder for Australia, the other power in Group B is 2010 World Cup runners-up, the Netherlands.
At their disposal, the Netherlands will have a thick and experienced Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder; however Rafael van der Vaart has been ruled out with injury.
Manchester United's Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich will likely spearhead the Dutch attack.
That leaves Chile, the dangerous third factor in Australia's group stage equation.
Chile comes into the World Cup after chalking up victories in five of their last six qualifiers to make a second successive World Cup for the first time.
This offence will be headlined by the likes of Alexis Sanchez of Barcelona, and Eduardo Vargas - on loan with Valencia - as well as attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal of Juventus.
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