The Socceroos kick off the third round of World Cup qualifying in September with games against China and Vietnam.
After strolling through the previous phase, much bigger obstacles lie ahead for Graham Arnold's side in their quest to secure a place in Qatar next year.
There will be no return to Australia for the Socceroos as yet with quarantine restrictions meaning they'll host China in Qatar rather than on home soil.
With club seasons in Europe kicking off and A-League players facing difficultly leaving Australia, there are plenty of questions looming with the next Socceroos squad expected to be revealed later this week.
Is the time right for Tom Rogic?
After sitting out of the recent Socceroos matches in June to get his body right, Tom Rogic has shown glimpses of his old self at Celtic this past month.
Playing again under Ange Postecoglou, the midfielder has already scored once and contributed two assists across nine impressive appearances this season.
Rogic had been struggling for form and fitness over the past 18 months but appears to have turned a corner at the Hoops since Postecoglou's arrival.
While the Socceroos would benefit from his return to the green and gold, Rogic could be best saved for later on in qualifying - especially as he just starts finding his groove again at club level.
A call up could also be asking a bit too much of Rogic right now with the Aussie's body not something to be tampered with lightly if history is anything to go by.
⚽️ @Tom_Rogic’s wizardry and @Kyogo_Furuhashi’s movement, @afcasiancup 👌
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 19, 2021
𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝟔 for the man from Japan 🔥@CelticFCJPN 🇯🇵 #KYOGOAL ㊗️#COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/KjimAaKs2e
Will A-League players be picked?
Football Australia have been in discussions with A-League clubs regarding Socceroos squad selection with players facing at least 14 days in hotel quarantine upon their return to Australia should they be called up for September's qualifiers.
With FFA Cup and A-League matches on the horizon, sides could understandably be hesitant to let their players' pre-seasons be interrupted so severely.
The current COVID situation in NSW does however give clubs some breathing room with the FFA Cup postponed indefinitely at this point to make September a more suitable window for A-League players to be released.
Even bigger question marks however will linger over what will happen for the qualifiers in October and November.
Will Maty Ryan be ready in time?
After sealing an off-season move to Real Sociedad, Ryan was struck down by a knee injury and is still waiting to make his debut for the La Liga club.
The Socceroos' undisputed number one recently stressed he was on track to be fit in time for the September matches as he fights to be a part of the side.
"Part of my motivation to get back is for that Socceroos game. It's an important phase coming up for us now and I've set my eye on being fit for that. I'm confident that I will be fit for it," Ryan said.
Ryan will however be short on game time and Arnold may well look to give another shot-stopper a chance between the sticks.
Who will step up in front of goal?
With a question mark looming at one end, there are even more lurking at the other.
In June, centre-back Harry Souttar was one of three players to score twice across four qualifiers with Mitch Duke and Mathew Leckie also bagging braces.
Recognised strikers Jamie Maclaren and Adam Taggart struggled to really make their mark with Maclaren's sole goal coming from the penalty spot.
Both Maclaren and Leckie might not even be selected for the upcoming games if Melbourne City decide against releasing them.
Duke and Taggart are currently playing club football in Japan so should be allowed to play with recent strikes from both suggesting they could be ready to step up for the Socceroos.
Nikita Rukavytsya has been on fire at club level over the past two years but was only used as a substitute in June and could be an ideal candidate to lead the line.