Tim Cahill is set to play a pivotal role in Australia's preparations for this year's World Cup

Socceroos hero Tim Cahill will play a pivotal part in Australia’s World Cup build up with chiefs tapping into former Everton star’s Qatar expertise having taken on 2022 ambassador role

  • Tim Cahill will play a pivotal role in Australia’s preparations for the World Cup 
  • The Socceroos sealed their place in this year’s tournament after beating Peru 
  • Football Australia chiefs are now planning where to stay in the host country
  • Cahill is a Qatar 2022 ambassador and has expert knowledge of the nation 
  • Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates

He may have called time on his international career four years ago, but Tim Cahill still has a big part to play in Australia’s preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, chiefs have confirmed.

The Socceroos clinched their place in this year’s competition after holding their nerve in a nail-biting penalty shootout against Peru, with Andrew Redmayne the hero for his country.

Now attention has turned to the showpiece tournament and Football Australia are swiftly planning their team’s stay in Qatar ahead of the kick off in November.

Tim Cahill is set to play a pivotal role in Australia's preparations for this year's World Cup

Tim Cahill is set to play a pivotal role in Australia’s preparations for this year’s World Cup

Football Australia chief James Johnson has revealed that former Socceroo superstar Cahill will be heavily involved in the decision making process ahead of their stay.

Cahill, 42, has spent the past few years living and working in Qatar and works as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup. In 2020, he was also hired as the chief sports officer of the government-funded football school – the Aspire Academy.

Boasting extensive knowledge of Qatari football as well as the layout, facilities and possible challenges of venues across the nation, Cahill is best placed to provide an expert insight to benefit Graham Arnold’s side. 

‘We didn’t want to count our chickens before they hatch but now we know we will be here in November this year, those discussions will start today in Doha,’ Johnson told the Sydney Morning Herald of the Socceroos’ potential training base for the World Cup.

The Socceroos confirmed their place at this year's competition after beating Peru in Doha

The Socceroos confirmed their place at this year’s competition after beating Peru in Doha

Cahill (L) is a Qatar 2022 ambassador and the Aussies will lean on his knowledge of the country

Cahill (L) is a Qatar 2022 ambassador and the Aussies will lean on his knowledge of the country

‘The good news for us is we have one of our all-time greats, Timmy Cahill, we are already in discussions with him about where we stay. He’s local, he cares about the team.’

Cahill has been a constant presence in the Socceroos’ camp this World Cup qualifying campaign and delivered a speech to the team days before their victory over Peru. 

Logistically, Qatar will not pose many problems as most venues are a short distance from Doha. Australia will play a two-game series against New Zealand in September before a farewell game in late October. 

The Socceroos kick off their tournament against reigning world champions France on November 23, in a tricky Group D alongside Denmark and Tunisia.  

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