To see the Socceroos train on Wednesday...
   

Williams was the shock omission when Pim Verbeek submitted his final 23-man squad to FIFA on Tuesday, with the Socceroos coach confirming tonight that he could not risk taking Williams, who has a pelvic injury, to the tournament.

Verbeek said the decision by Middlesbrough to allow Williams to continue to play late in the Championship season despite his injury issues had cost him his shot at representing Australia at the showpiece tournament.

For Williams, who only committed to play for Australia last year after playing representative football for Wales, it's a heartbreaking end to a dream which began when he called Verbeek and told him he wanted to play for Australia.

Williams made his debut for Australia in the World Cup qualifier against Japan in June last year and has played three games. He said he was heartbroken to miss out after having come so close to his World Cup dream.

It's a similar story for Shane Lowry, contracted to Aston Villa, but having spent time on loan recently at Leeds. Lowry decided last year that despite playing at underage level for Ireland, he would play for Australia, but his shot at the World Cup will have to wait another four years after he was cut.

The other three players cut from the initial 28-man squad were keeper Eugene Galekovic and youngsters Tommy Oar and James Holland.

The absence of Williams, who has spent time during his rehabilitation with AFL club the Fremantle Dockers, and Lowry, means that Dario Vidosic and Richard Garcia have both made the squad despite suffering injuries in the lead-in.

Although the players omitted are not officially included in the 23-man Socceroos squad, they would continue to train with the main squad to get experience, said Verbeek.

However Williams will return home to Australia immediately  to receive treatment for his groin injury.

Fourth goal keeper Eugene Galekovic will also continue to train with the squad in case of a late injury to either Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici or Brad Jones in the lead up to the opening of the tournament.

The Socceroos will play their final international friendly match against the USA on Saturday June 5 at Ruimsig Stadium near Johannesburg.

Verbeek's squad has seven defenders and ten midfielders, along with three strikers and three goalkeepers.

Socceroos:
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici, Brad Jones.

Defenders: Scott Chipperfield, David Carney, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Mark Milligan, Luke Wilkshire.

Midfielders: Vince Grella, Carl Valeri, Jason Culina, Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia.

Strikers: Nikita Rukavytsya, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell.

To see the Socceroos train on Wednesday...