Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has won the latest of late World Cup call-ups for the Socceroos.

Galekovic has been added to the 23-man squad after Australia's reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones officially withdrew from the tournament.

Jones notified Football Federation Australia on Friday he would remain with his family after his four-year-old son Luca was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was given leave from the Australian training camp last weekend after the news, which rocked the close-knit squad.

The sport's world governing body FIFA has given the Socceroos special dispensation to add Adelaide United goalkeeper Galekovic to the squad as Jones' replacement because of the circumstances.

"Brad has told us he won't be coming back and Eugene has been allowed to officially become part of the squad," an FFA spokesman said.

Coach Pim Verbeek had been working on the basis Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jones would remain at his son's side in France, with Reading keeper Adam Federici now set to be Mark Schwarzer's understudy.

Galekovic will be the squad's third-string goalkeeper.

The Socceroos left their base near Johannesburg for Durban on Saturday, and an unenviable World Cup opening match against three-time winners Germany.

Australia's defence, which conceded just four goals in the entire 14-match World Cup qualification campaign, looms as the key to grabbing some sort of result against the Germans.

Germany has not dropped an opening World Cup match since 1986, when they drew 1-1 with Uruguay but still made the tournament final.

Schwarzer, who is of German heritage, admitted after a gruelling training camp at altitude, the entire team was excited about finally getting the tournament under way.

"We've been here for a long time now and I'm excited about the opportunity to play Germany - the land of my parents - and at a World Cup as well," he said.

"Throughout the qualifiers we've been solid in defence but this is another level altogether.

"Now is when the real test begins. Hopefully we stand up to it, stay solid at back and give ourselves every chance to win games."

Both sides will play 4-2-3-1 formations, with Australia likely to start with Josh Kennedy up front and Harry Kewell on the bench in their only starting 11 dilemma.

Tim Cahill and Brett Emerton are expected to play in midfield, while Kewell is set to be used as an impact player.

Germany have a similar dilemma with their lone striker's role, with Miroslav Klose expected to get the nod over impressive naturalised Brazilian Cacau.

Schwarzer said Australia could at least go into the match without the pressure of the Germans, who are red-hot favourites to win the game and qualify top of Group D.

"The expectation on them is huge. All the pressure's on them to win," he said.

"They believe they should win, they believe they have the right to win.

"Hopefully we can prove a few people wrong."

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