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With their hopes of direct World Cup qualification hanging in the balance, the Socceroos are eager to enjoy home comforts when they host Indonesia in Sydney.

The Socceroos are hoping a boisterous Sydney home crowd against Indonesia will be the leg-up they need to seal direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Australia will return to Allianz Stadium for the first time since 2017 to host Indonesia on March 20, kicking off the final leg of their qualifying campaign.

Tony Popovic's men are second on seven points in chaotic Group C, nine points behind leaders Japan and a point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China.

With only four games left, the Socceroos must win against Indonesia if they want to avoid another qualifying stage or being knocked out altogether.

They return to Australia holding on to the second automatic qualifying place after Kusini Yengi equalised in the 96th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in November.

Football Australia boss James Johnson hopes a home crowd at Allianz will help lift the Socceroos over the line in their do-or-die clash.

The Sydney venue has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Australia, who beat United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the 2018 tournament qualifying series in their last match at the venue.

"We wanted to be in Sydney," Johnson said on Tuesday.

"We chose this match deliberately. It's a game that we think we can win.

"You saw what happened during the Women's World Cup. The stadium came to life. You see what happens every weekend when the A-League is playing here.

"We think we'll get a full house here and we think that the excitement and the energy in the stadium is going to help this team perform."

Newly capped Socceroo Anthony Caceres, who plays regularly at Allianz for A-League Men club Sydney FC, attested to the crowd atmosphere at the venue.

"For me, it's my favourite venue to play football at. The crowd there is amazing," Caceres said.

"The acoustics of the stadium really amplify the atmosphere, and it really drives you to perform at your best.

"It gives you an extra bit of energy when you need it, and that gets you over the line and helps you put in a performance worthy of the Socceroos."

Johnson is confident the time between the qualifying rounds will be enough for the Socceroos to move on from their Bahrain draw and for Popovic to take a breath following a hectic start to life as coach.

Australia will face China after Indonesia, then Japan and Saudi Arabia in June.

"It was a complicated start. He (Popovic) has got three months now to really take his time to settle down," Johnson said.

"That preparation going into the next window is only going to benefit Tony, and I think he'll go from strength to strength, and so will this team.

"A victory at home against Indonesia won't be easy.

"Who would have thought four years ago that they would have a team, Indonesia, that could beat Saudi Arabia (in November)? Saudi Arabia only two years ago beat Argentina.

"We have every confidence that the team will go through directly, but of course, it's football."