The experienced defender however said the national team players have shown they can handle their fans' expectations.
Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup by beating Korea Republic 2-1 in the final in Sydney in January.
It was a thoroughly deserved but surprising outcome for a new-look team that had struggled in the months preceding the tournament.
Australian fans now expect the Socceroos to kick on and qualify for Russia for their fourth straight appearance in the finals.
Wilkinson, 30, said that he not only was unfazed by the heavier burden of home expectations but he welcomed it with open arms.
"Yes, our fans will expect us to qualify for the World Cup, no doubt about that," said Wilkinson, who plays his club football for Jeonbuk Motors in the Korea Republic.
"After winning the Asian Cup everyone will be wanting more from us.
"They will expect positive results but that's a good thing.
"I think it's great that the public are excited to watch the national team and are wanting us to be successful.
"There was a lot of pressure to perform at the Asian Cup and I thought the boys handled it very well.
"Winning the Asian Cup would definitely still mean a lot even if we fail to get to Russia.
"To win the Asian Cup on home soil was a huge achievement, the first major tournament victory for the Socceroos.
"Obviously after winning the competition, if we were to not qualify for Russia it would be a major disappointment.
"But I believe the team still has a lot of improvement in it and if we can keep moving in the right direction then I am definitely confident we can qualify for Russia.
"I'm looking forward to the qualifying campaign, very much so.
"I would love to stay involved in the national team. I love playing for my country and it is an exciting time at the moment after winning the Asian Cup.
"The qualifiers for 2018 will be another huge test for us."
Wilkinson played a lesser role in Australia's triumphant Asian Cup campaign, coming in for suspended Matthew Spiranovic in the quarter-final 2-0 victory over China in Brisbane.
But he's not complaining, mainly because the man who might have kept him out of the side was his former Central Coast Mariners clubmate Trent Sainsbury, who played the best football in his short career and even won man-of-the-match honours in the final.
"It was a huge achievement for us," he said.
"Of course, I would have loved to have played more minutes but when you are in camp for the Socceroos I think it's important to leave your personal agendas aside and make it all about the team.
"If you aren't starting then it's your job to keep pushing the guys ahead of you and make sure you are ready when called upon.
"I was happy I got to play a game against China and got to play my part in the tournament.
"Spiranovic and Sainsbury were great. I thought Trent really grew in confidence as the tournament progressed and he was superb throughout.
"I was really happy for him as I was there when he first came through at the Mariners and I have watched him grow as a player since then. So for me it was great to see him doing so well."
Wilkinson is nursing an injured left knee that may have been caused by Korea's rock-hard pitches and he missed out on Jeonbuk's 4-1 away win over Shandong Luneng in the midweek AFC Champions League.
He also is in doubt for Jeonbuk's K-League Classic season-opening match against Seongnam at the weekend.
He said he is looking forward to another big season after the last momentous 12 months in which he became an international player, took part in a World Cup and won an Asian Cup and Korean league title.
This all came about after he took a gamble by leaving the Mariners in 2012 for Jeonbuk.
"Our son Luca was only five weeks old when we got the call from Jeonbuk," he said.
"Looking back it was a fantastic move for me. At the time it was a difficult decision as I was comfortable at the Mariners but I felt I needed a fresh challenge.
"Korea has definitely been a gamble. I think whenever you move overseas to a new team it's a risk. Obviously you do your research and I knew I would be coming to a strong team that regularly challenges for trophies.
"My time here wasn't always successful as I went through some tough times as well.
"But I stuck it out and it has all worked out really well for me.
"I don't know if I would have got the opportunities I have had if I stayed at the Mariners."
