Gold Coast United captain Jason Culina is well aware that experience will be vital for the Australian national team at next month's World Cup.

The Socceroos midfielder has hit back at critics who believe the squad that will go to South Africa is too old, preferring to believe that the experience the older players have will be essential on the world stage.

"We might be four years older but with that comes experience and street smarts," he said. "We have a lot of players around their peak at 30 and 31 and then you have the oldies like Mark Schwarzer and Craig Moore.

"We may be a touch slower but then extra knowledge kicks in and you can't buy that."

In regards to the fitness of a large portion of the likely squad, Culina used the Croatian team of 1998 as a comparison, saying that the players who have had a light run-in during their club seasons may benefit.

"Maybe that will be a blessing in disguise because we will be fresh and raring to play games," he added.

"I haven't played a competitive match in eight weeks and I'm getting itchy now. You look back to when Croatia reached the last four at France 98 three-quarters of their team were sitting on the bench at their clubs. They were well rested and hungry and they flourished. I'm not saying that will happen to us but it would be nice."