Socceroos Head Coach, Pim Verbeek, announced today that Viduka will not be joining the Australian squad for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup matches against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan.

Viduka contacted Verbeek to advise that he would not be available for selection for the upcoming three matches in June.

"He told me that after a difficult season that he needed a break from football to consider his future plans.

"Mark is currently out of contract and, while he is deciding what to do next, it would be difficult for him to fully concentrate on these important matches for Australia.

"We respect his decision and wish him all the best over the coming weeks as he makes his next important decision," said Verbeek.

Verbeek last week rejected claims the big striker would not play for Australia again.

"Definitely not," the coach emphatically stated when asked if it was the end of Viduka's career for the Socceroos.

"I have left another spot open for him. So it's up to him, the ball is completely in his court."

Viduka has not played for Australia since the 2007 Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan in Hanoi in July.

The Socceroos need just one point from the remaining matches to reach their second straight World Cup finals.