McGowan, who plays his club football for Dundee United in Scotland, is back in the Socceroos set-up after missing out on the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
The tournament, on home soil, came only seven months after he took part in all three of Australia's matches in Brazil 2014 but he still missed out on selection.
The Socceroos play Bangladesh in Perth on Thursday and Tajikistan in Dushanbe on Tuesday.
"Growing up as a boy in Adelaide my dream was to play professional football," McGowan said.
"I never thought I would be lucky enough to represent my country and play in a World Cup.
"But now that I have had that taste I want to experience it more and more.
"It's a long way to go until the next World Cup but performing well in these matches coming up can only be a good thing."
McGowan, who played a full match in United's 2-1 loss to Ross County on Sunday (AEST), is lucky to be at a club that does not make life hard for its representative players.
Clubs no longer have the right to pressure players to pull out of international fixtures, because the FIFA window is designed to make international football easier for players, and their clubs, to manage.
Nevertheless, some coaches are known to take a dim view of the international commitments of their players, particularly those who have to take long journeys to represent their country.
"It's a hard one," McGowan said.
"Different coaches see it differently. My club and manager were over the moon with the news (of my recall) and were delighted for me going.
"But some managers can be concerned by how far we need to travel and how we will be once we come back from the games.
"European players travel distances similar to a Brisbane to Sydney flight whereas we go half way around the world.
"I'm very fortunate actually because all the clubs I have been with have been good to me in this regard."
McGowan admitted he was not sure what role he would play if he is selected in the two forthcoming matches.
McGowan is a centre back by trade, but played right back during the FIFA World Cup campaign after an injury to Ivan Franjic.
It is also the position in which he has been regularly deployed at Dundee United this season.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure what position the boss will be looking for me to play," McGowan said.
"Having played under him he knows I can play centre-back or fullback if needed.
"At Dundee United I have been playing mostly at right back this season.
"But I'm just delighted to be back in the squad ... I will go into camp trying to impress as much as I can and if I get any game time play that's fine.
"Both games will be very difficult. Long gone are the days where you get poor international teams.
"All teams are well organised and have dangerous players so we will have to play well to get points from both games."
McGowan also expressed his delight at Tom Rogic's recall to the Socceroos squad after his injury problems and Tommy Oar's signing for Ipswich Town at the weekend.
"It's now just him stringing games together and staying fit," McGowan said.
"Fingers crossed for him that all his injuries are over and he can just get back to playing football.
"It's also great news for Tommy getting a club sorted out. It must have been a difficult time not having a club but hopefully now he can go and have a good season down in England."
