The Socceroos arrive back in Sydney knowing a two-goal win over Uruguay at Telstra Stadium on Wednesday night will be enough to seal qualification for its first World Cup in more than 30 years.

An expected sellout crowd of more than 85,000 will have everything to cheer for in Sydney after Australia's gritty 1-0 loss to Uruguay in the World Cup first leg playoff in Montevideo on Sunday gave it a fighting chance.

The winner on aggregate goals over both matches will qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany next year, meaning a two-goal victory will be enough to send the Socceroos through.

A 1-0 win to Australia would not be enough, forcing extra time and if no result there, a penalty shootout.

But Australia cannot afford to concede a goal in Sydney, with away goals counting double if aggregate scores are tied.

The Socceroos will have a full squad to choose from after several players who would have been suspended for the next match had they received a yellow card on Sunday, escaped any cautions.

Uruguay will be forced to make at least one change, with its decision to play striker Diego Forlan backfiring when he was forced to leave the field on Sunday after just 18 minutes with a recurrence of the leg injury which had originally seen him ruled out of the match.

But Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati is confident his side, which also arrives in Sydney on Monday, can get the result it needs to ensure it qualifies at Australia's expense.

"See you when we get back and we'll be back with qualification," he told reporters.

Uruguayan striker Richard Morales said the pressure was now more on Australia than his team to chase the result, suggesting the South Americans will be far more defensively minded than they were as they laid siege to the Socceroos' goal late in Sunday's second half.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP