And he believes that a successful World Cup campaign could go a long way towards winning the hearts and minds of his fellow countrymen who've yet to be seduced by the world's major sport.
If Australia's bid to stage the Football World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 is successful, popularity of the sport they refer to as soccer is expected to soar. But, for the time being, the globe's biggest game continues to be regarded as the poor relation in a sport-mad nation that consistently punches above its weight on the international stage.
Australia, whose coach Pim Verbeek will quit after this summer's campaign, contest one of the toughest groups in South Africa as the Socceroos look to overcome Germany, Ghana and Serbia.
It would be the biggest upset in the tournament's 80- year history if the 150/1 outsiders were to lift the trophy on July 4, but Williams reckons that Australia's self-belief on the sports field means the public back home expect Verbeek's side to defy the odds.
The Aussie mentality is no matter what the sport, we expect to win. Football's no different, said the Boro midfielder, who operates as right-back at international level.
We won't be too many people's favourites going into the tournament but back home they expect us to do really well.
We are born with a winning mentality. The fans are like that and there is pressure on us.
I watched the last one on TV with my family back home and we were gutted when Australia got knocked out.
The rigours of a tough Championship campaign has left Williams nursing a painful pelvic problem that could again restrict him to following the tournament as an armchair spectator. A decision on his fitness is expected before the national side kick-off their warm-up programme when they host New Zealand at the MCG, Melbourne, on May 24. The Perth-born player is facing a race against time to prove he is capable of joining Boro team-mates Brad Jones and Scott McDonald in the Australia camp.
He said: The World Cup has been on my mind ever since I got a sniff of the squad. I've had three starts and I'm looking forward to the summer. I've got my fingers crossed that I'm selected.
What's happened this season is beyond my wildest dreams. In pre-season I wasn't considered anything more than a back-up player and here I am on the verge of the biggest sporting event in the world!
My mum played football in Australia and it's always been my game, cricket was never an option. I have a football background.
I very much doubt football will take over from Aussie rules, rugby or cricket, but we are catching up and a successful World Cup might change that.
Dad is English, his dad was born in Wales, mum was born in India and I'm Australian. I played for Wales Under-21s and we had a really successful run (in the World Youth Cup) but got knocked out against England. Once Australia came knocking my heart was set. I've got my head and heart in Australia.
Williams has already returned to Australia, but could return for the preseason training camp in La Manga, starting on May 22.
Manager Gordon Strachan has already added winger Andy Halliday to his ranks in time for the trip, although it is unlikely there will be any further additions before that time.
Strachan does, though, intend to have chief executive Keith Lamb working on a number of options throughout the summer, with a number of players in Scotland high on his list of targets.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo