Tim Cahill's extraordinary volley against the Netherlands in 2014 remains one of the all-time World Cup finals goals.
A 22-year-old Mat Ryan was up the other end in Australia's goal and a 23-year-old Mathew Leckie was in attack, while Aziz Behich was 23 and Irvine 21.
But for Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano, the sight of Cahill instinctively ripping his foot through the ball was a formative football memory.
"I saw that and wanted to be there," Bos, 23, told AAP.
"It just gave me more motivation."
Italiano, 24, adds: "It was unbelievable technique.
"The time of the game as well - watching it with the family. Getting up and being able to watch the game made it extra special."
View this post on Instagram A post shared by CommBank Socceroos (@socceroos)
For 18-year-old Lucas Herrington, Brazil 2014 is his first memory of a World Cup full stop.
"Great memories there for Australia, and that was probably the first one I can remember," the teenager said.
Mohamed Toure, 22, clearly remembers 2014, and moments like Germany beating Brazil 7-1 and then besting Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final.
"In 2010 I was only six, but I remember the Ghana run and all the dances Asamoah Gyan and the Ghanaian team did," Toure said.
Australia will have 17 World Cup debutants and eight players under 23 when their campaign kicks off against Turkey on Saturday, while the players will be eagerly watching where they can from the start.
The Socceroos haven't missed a World Cup in Herrington's entire life - qualifying for the past six.
When Irvine was young, Australia weren't there.
Irvine's first World Cup memory was Papa Bouba Diop's winner for Senegal against defending champions France in 2002.
Then for Irvine, in the stands for Australia's play-off win over Uruguay in 2005 that ended decades of heartbreak, remains the moment that made him believe everything was possible.
"Even during qualifying, I often had that thought that even though I was only just on the edge of it - remembering what it was like for Australia not to be in a World Cup," Irvine said.
"For so many of these kids, this is the expectation, this is the level, and they want to go further, which is amazing.
"It's new mentality, a new approach to not having that history of heartbreak ... these guys have only known us being there."
It's a moment these young Socceroos aren't planning to let slip.
"I'm just trying to be here, enjoy every moment, take it day by day and just enjoy the World Cup," Herrington said.
"It's not every day this comes around. So I can't wait to get started and I can't wait to experience it."
12°C