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The Wanderers’ campaign never really got going, with Tony Popovic departing for Turkey on the eve of the season and the club cycling through three coaches.

Western Sydney eventually finished seventh, missing the finals, and winning just eight of 27 matches. Josip Gombau was sacked in April with German Markus Babbell appointed as his replacement.

Risdon was a constant for the Wanderers, making 18 appearances at right back when not on international duties.

He admits last season was a “rollercoaster” to deal with, but his focus now is purely on Russia and the Socceroos.

“It was obviously a tough season,” the defender admitted.

“The timing of the first coach to leave [Popovic] wasn’t ideal, but yeah, that happens everywhere. Coaches come and go everywhere all the time. But it was a rollercoaster for us, we’d win a couple of games and then we weren’t consistent.

“The season I had… it was good to get back in the Socceroos’ set-up and earn myself a spot in this squad for the World Cup. It’s been an up and down season, but a positive season for myself obviously where I’ve ended up now.

“The focus on this World Cup now is a dream come true. I’m focusing on that at the moment.”

Risdon had to put his honeymoon on hold after getting married last month. The right back said he had planned for the eventuality with a forgiving partner that he might make the World Cup squad.

"That was always in the back of my mind when we planned our wedding that it was going to come around the time of the World Cup," the Bunbury product said.

"We were fully prepared that we would have to wait to have our honeymoon. I guess there's no better place to be - except for the honeymoon - than the World Cup. But my wife is fully supportive, she knew the sacrifice I was willing to make and she was as well."

Risdon is competing with Milos Degenek for Australia's starting right-back role against France.

The 25 year-old hopes he has done enough to have secured that spot for Saturday.

"I hope so, nothing's ever sure in football," he said.

"I've played in the last two friendlies so hopefully I've put my best foot forward to start the France game. I'm just looking forward to that game, we've still got a week left of training so I'll do my best to start that game."