There was a clear focus on experience among the group selected, with centreback Aleksandar Susnjar the only uncapped player in the squad.

While this suggests experience and reliability as the focus over such a short preparation time, high-profile young bolters such as Brandon Borrello, Daniel Arzani, Chris Ikonomidis, Mustafa Amini and Daniel de Silva look like they'll miss out.

Borrello's exclusion is particularly interesting, despite three goals in his last four appearances and lavish praise within Germany. Nikita Rukavytsa, who has the experience of recent Socceroos squads behind him, is included instead.

Van Marwijk said he and his staff had searched far and wide, and were "pleased" with the result. Yet there was still a chance for those not selected to press their claims.

“Since my appointment with the Socceroos, my staff, scouts and I have monitored over 100 Australian players in the Hyundai A-League, as well as in leagues across Europe and Asia,” van Marwijk said.

“We are pleased with the initial 29 players we have picked for our upcoming games against Norway and Colombia and will finalise the squad next week.

“There are still a couple of weeks before the group gathers in Oslo, so we will continue to monitor the health and fitness of all the players in the preliminary squad, as well as those on our longer list of potential World Cup squad members.

“Our upcoming matches against Norway and Colombia will provide a great chance for the players selected to press their claims for Russia, however, the door remains ajar for all players not picked for the March window."