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Arnold is expected to finalise his 26-man group two weeks out from Qatar’s November 21 curtain-raiser, and Mabil figures to make the cut despite seeing limited opportunities at La Liga strugglers Cadiz.
The pacey, powerful winger has amassed just 163 minutes over his five league appearances this season, with the Andalusian side sitting three points outside safety in the Spanish top flight.
Match minutes have become a core component of Arnold’s selection criteria, but if there were any doubts surrounding Mabil’s productivity, his most recent international outing put them to rest.
A strong 70-minute performance against New Zealand, during which he scored the game’s only goal, appeared to tighten the 27-year-old’s grip on the Socceroos’ left wing.
It was a watershed moment of sorts for the former Midtjylland star, whose 25-yard strike secured his first international goal on Australian soil – something he had dreamt of since coming to the country as a 10-year-old from Kenya.
It appears that wasn’t his only aspiration, however, with a seat on the plane to Qatar headlining his wish list for an already impressive career.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid and it’s anybody’s dream that plays football,” Mabil told SBS Sport. “It’s the pinnacle of your international (career).
“For me, to be on the plane to Qatar is one of my biggest wishes so I’ll be working hard to make that a reality.”
Mabil’s connection to the World Cup goes beyond the beautiful game. In fact, it’s intertwined with his earliest memories of life in Australia, where the dirt pitch of Kakuma’s refugee camp made way for grassroots football in Adelaide.
The year was 2006, one he and the rest of Australia will never forget, when Guus Hiddink guided the Socceroos to the knockout stages for the first – and only – time in national team history.
“I remember the 2006 World Cup, that was when we recently moved to Australia and when I could fully watch the games,” Mabil explained.
“I remember the World Cup final, when Zidane headbutted the Italian – that was one of the biggest memories, but that tournament was amazing. Australia was there also and at that time I was just a fan, a young boy, and now, to be part of this great nation is a pleasure.”
What began as a fan from afar will likely conclude up close in Qatar, as Mabil aims to help Australia navigate a group containing defending champions France, Denmark, and Tunisia.
Denmark and France are no strangers to Australia, having met four years ago in Russia, and while their upcoming reunion remains far from a procession, he feels the example set by the greats he grew up admiring can serve to steer the Socceroos towards their own piece of history.
“I can say Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar in Brazil 2014, and, of course, Cahill for the Australians,” he added.
“Those guys have set the benchmark for us young footballers coming up so we’ll be hoping we can score goals and win games at the World Cup like they did.”
