Former Australia international John Kosmina has backed FC Utrecht youngster Tommy Oar to be included in Pim Verbeek's final Soceroos squad for the World Cup.

Today, the 18-year old former Brisbane Roar winger was named in a preliminary 30-man squad which will be cut to 23 by June 1, and Kosmina is confident that Oar will be on the plan to South Africa later this month.

"I think he'll definitely go," Kosmina said.

"If anybody's going to emulate Harry Kewell's career or his superstar status, I think Tommy Oar's the boy.

"He's got something special about him, and I think he's shown a lot of maturity."

Oar signed a five-year deal with the Dutch club in April and is being touted as the next big thing in Australian football.