'Special' Arzani earned his spot, says van Marwijk

Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk insisted 19-year-old Daniel Arzani earned his place in the preliminary 32-man FIFA World Cup squad announced on Monday.

Arzani's inclusion comes after an impressive breakout season at Melbourne City earned him the A-League Young Footballer of the Year award.

The Iranian-born Australian forced his way into City's starting XI after a collection of threatening cameos off the bench earned him plenty of admirers, including van Marwijk himself.

"I heard a lot about Arzani," van Marwijk said.

"Everybody is talking about him.

"In February and March, he didn't play a lot and he's very young, but I heard he has something special.

"I like players who have something special, who can decide games."

With van Marwijk's squad set to be reduced to 26 or 27 players next week, it is unknown as to whether Arzani will make the final cut for Russia.

"He's very young," van Marwijk said.

"He has to learn a lot, but I think at this moment he earned [his right] to be in the squad of 32."