While most of Arnold’s likely starting XI against France at the Al Janoub Stadium will pick itself - particularly since injured players like Hrustic and Martin Boyle are approaching full fitness again, having completed gruelling individual training sessions at the Aspire Academy on Friday evening as the rest of the squad enjoyed a day off - the ones left out will have ability to influence the action when called upon.

They don’t think they have Arnold’s backing. They know.

The obvious one is Garang Kuol, who has earned a contract in the English Premier League with Newcastle United off the back of his scintillating form as a super-sub in the A-League, making a habit of scaring defences into submission. And whichever of Australia’s three strikers - Maclaren, Mitch Duke and Jason Cummings, who all have markedly different attributes - gets the initial nod, the others will be waiting in the wings, ready to go.

It’s a welcome change from the last World Cup, where then-coach Bert van Marwijk deployed the same starting team in all three matches at Russia 2018, and only four different substitutes, which meant nine members of Australia’s squad - Maclaren among them - didn’t see a single minute of game time.

“[Arnold has] put trust in all 26 players. I felt like maybe last time, maybe Bert didn’t trust everyone, me included,” he said.

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“All you can say is this time around, the players Arnie’s chosen ... I think he trusts everyone.

“These games are won off fine margins and finer details, and we’ve got players who can change games, we’ve got players who can shut out games. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to [start] but I know that I’m the sort of player, if I was to be a substitute, whenever I’m given an opportunity, you’ve got to contribute.”

Criticised by some Socceroos fans for his occasional struggles to be involved in general play at international level, Maclaren - a self-proclaimed “tap-in king” who scores freely at A-League level, but has only eight goals from 26 caps for Australia - said he felt the intricacies of his style and role were often misunderstood.

“The modern game is changing. I remember even seeing a stat - Erling Haaland touched the ball 13 times in a Premier League game, but he scored a hat trick. I’m no different, but he’s just a superstar,” he said.

“All the strikers bring different things. Jase can drop short, Dukey’s obviously got the height. We all bring a piece of the puzzle. I think my puzzle [piece] is that fox in the box that everyone knows me as.

“I think we all know I’m not the sexiest player with the ball at my feet, but I know that if there’s a chance that comes in the box, I’m as good as anyone.”

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