This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports. Sign up for Peak’s newsletter here.At 18, Lucas Herrington was the youngest player on Australia’s World Cup team. He started Australia’s final game of group play against Paraguay and again in the knockout round loss to Egypt. He plays for the Colorado Rapids in MLS.My first game at the World Cup was against Paraguay.Standing out on the field, singing the national anthem with all the Australians, you don’t realize how much it hits until then. I felt the nerves coming in. I could hear everyone chanting and singing their hearts out just because it means so much.I felt the pressure, and that was the moment I realized: I’m at the World Cup. I’m really here.That was my “welcome to the World Cup” moment.All the hard work and dedication I had put in led to that moment. It was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to play at the World Cup for Australia. To still be so young and do that meant everything to me. It meant everything to represent my country.I had just wanted to make the final squad; I didn’t really think about anything after that. I was just really grateful to be there.But when I got my name called to start against Paraguay in our final game of group play, it was a chance to prove why I should be there.It felt different than other games. I could feel the tense atmosphere, the will to win and to make everyone proud back home. I could just see how much it meant to every player on both teams. I could see the expressions on the fans’ faces and how much every action meant to them.