Under a weight of expectation, Aziz Behich has declared the Socceroos hell-bent on reaching the 2026 World Cup in style by topping their Asian qualifying groups.
An increased number of direct qualification spots from Asia - up from four to eight - leaves a greater margin for error in pursuit of a berth at the expanded 48-team tournament.
But Behich doesn't want to see the Socceroos limp through the qualification phase, let alone rely on another intercontinental play-off.
Australia's qualifying campaign kicks off with matches against low-ranked Bangladesh at AAMI Park on Thursday night and Palestine in Kuwait five days later.
"We want to top the group throughout the whole process, so that's our main goal," Behich said.
"We're not worried about how many teams qualify.
"We went through the play-off phase again last campaign and we don't want to do that again."
The Socceroos, ranked 27th in the world, are heavily favoured to top the second-round qualifying group against Palestine (96), Lebanon (104) and Bangladesh (183).
The top two teams advance to the third round, from which they can qualify directly for the World Cup.
Against little-known opponents in the second round, Behich insisted the Socceroos' focus will be on their own performances in a return to competitive action after recent friendlies against New Zealand, England and Mexico.
"We're not looking for an underdog or a favourite or whatever," Behich said.
"Internally, we know what we can produce on the pitch and what we expect from ourselves, and that's high standards.
"It's going to be no different if we (play against) a lower-ranked nation or a higher one.
"It's an international football game. We just want to get better every camp and every game."
Left-back Behich, who has rejoined Melbourne City this season after a decade abroad, said the Socceroos will relish playing qualifiers on home soil.
It comes after a significant portion of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign was played in a hub after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was difficult for us, no home games pretty much, so we're excited that the first game's at home in front of our fans," Behich said.
"It's exciting and we're all raring to go.
"That hub was difficult but we did get the job done at the end of the day.
"Now teams have to play in Australia and we're always confident at home."
