The reigning Cup holders are expected to announce warm-ups for October and November this week with Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane hosting matches.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Graham Arnold’s men could face India in Perth on October 16, followed by Lebanon in Sydney and Panama in Melbourne.

The Socceroos are understood to have locked in a match against South Korea at Suncorp Stadium for November 17, making it just shy of four years since they last played in Brisbane. 

Meanwhile the Sydney match is being billed as a testimonial for Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer Tim Cahill who retired from international football in July after four World Cup appearances.

Panama made their first World Cup appearance in Russia earlier this year, losing all group games to England, Belgium and Tunisia. 

Australia defeated South Korea 2-1 in extra time to lift the 2015 Asian Cup at home and the Socceroos have played India eight times since 1938, winning five (L2, D1).

New coach Arnold is under pressure to prove his coaching chops at international level after unprecedented success with A-League outfit Sydney FC.

"My main goal is obviously the Asian Cup and we are current champions," Arnold said recently.

"You saw how well Japan and South Korea  did at the World Cup so it's gonna be a wonderful challenge.

"And it's about exposing people to that opportunity to play at the Asian Cup.

"In a lot of ways that is short term but for me I've always been a person that looks at the long term and I'm just excited to work with this group of players."

The 2019 Asian Cup will be held in the UAE from January 5 to February 1.