Left-back Josh Cavallo, who recently became the only active openly gay player in men's professional football through his account, has so far only represented Australia's U19 national team.
The step to the nation's national team is shorter than in Europe and South America, but if Socceroos were to qualify for the World Cup next year in Qatar and if he would be eligible to be selected, Cavallo doubts that he wants to go.
- I read that Qatar has the death penalty for homosexuals.
It scares me and I would not want to go there for that reason.
Its sad.
The World Cup is the biggest thing you can achieve as a football player, but at the same time knowing that I expose my life to risks makes me think - is my life more important than doing something really good in my career ?, says Josh Cavallo to The Guardian.
"He shall have all honor"
Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide in the Australian league on a daily basis, has been praised for his decision to tell about his position.
Swedish national team player Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrote "football is for everyone, great respect" when the news came.
And gave him further praise yesterday when the national team gathered for the two final World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain.
- It was strongly done and he should have all the honor ... all the love, said Zlatan Ibrahimovic to SVT Sport.
The World Cup in Qatar 2022 will be decided between November 21 and December 18.
Sweden leads its qualifying group before the decision, Australia is second in its in Asia's qualifiers for the World Cup, where the two highest placed national teams in the group qualify for the World Cup.