Jason Cummings knows exactly what he needs to do to stamp his ticket to Qatar: keep scoring goals.
Fresh off finding the net on his Socceroos debut against New Zealand on Sunday, Central Coast striker Cummings will head into the A-League Men season with six weeks to push for a World Cup berth.
Coach Graham Arnold has spelled out what is required to earn a seat on the plane.
"He said just do what I normally do," Cummings told AAP at the A-Leagues season launch.
"That was the reason why I got called up in the first place - he likes my style and likes the fact that I score goals and I work hard, and that's what I'll do.
"It's everyone's dream, the World Cup. It's the reason why you become a footballer when you're younger, you're only dreaming of things like that.
"Playing the World Cup on the biggest stage, with the biggest players, would be unbelievable.
"All I can do is try my best with the Mariners, score goals, and hopefully I can go."
After falling off Scotland's radar, Edinburgh-born Cummings switched his allegiance to Australia - he qualifies through his mother - joined Central Coast this year and has not looked back.
"It's starting to sink in now. I'm just proper proud," he said of his maiden international goal.
"Last year I was on the bench at Dundee, wasn't getting a game. A lot of people gave up on me, (but) I never gave up on myself.
"I always trusted the process. I always work hard and train hard and to get that opportunity with the Socceroos is a dream come true.
"It's the reason why I came to Australia, to start a clean slate over here and score goals, and that was my end goal - and I've got a goal as well.
"So now I need to set some new goals. Hopefully maybe the World Cup, get a few more caps and just score goals."
As well as his international dreams, the 27-year-old has high hopes for the Mariners' young squad, describing them as "underdogs for winning the league".
And the marksman also has an eye on wresting the golden boot from the grip of Melbourne City's Jamie Maclaren.
"I said to him in the Socceroos (camp): I'm coming for him. I'm going to come for him this year," he said.
Above all, Cummings is enjoying his fresh start in Australia.
"I'd sign a 10-year deal here, not a problem," he said.
"I just love Australia. The lifestyle, the weather, the people, it's been amazing.
"I wish I came out here earlier, but I'm happy where I am just now."
