Australia will play Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar home and away in its pool with the top two sides rewarded with automatic qualification to the World Cup.

The two countries that finish third in their respective groups will play-off for one spot to earn the right to play the winner of the Oceania confederation for a spot in the finals.

The other group includes what looks to be a tougher assignment with South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

But Arnold says that Uzbekistan could be a major threat to Australia’s qualification chances especially considering the the Socceroos first game is in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on September 10.

"We will have to be at our best to progress. Uzbekistan are the dark horses they are a very very good side," he said.

The Uzbek’s finished equal top of their pool in the last group stage, scoring seven and conceding zero goals at home whilst also making the quarter-finals of last year’s Asian Cup.

Nevertheless, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek says he is happy with the group Australia has been drawn in.

"We have a very interesting group, we have to work hard, really hard to achieve the final round," he said.

"The good part is that all the players know that now, after all the experience of the last two years in the AFC."

Verbeek says the team’s last two games are the most important.

"The final decision will be made in the last two home games when we play Bahrain at home, and we play Japan at home, that’s what I think," he said.

"In June the decision will be made, and okay, that’s good, we will be ready."