New Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop claims rival codes have every right to fear the awakening of the sleeping giant on the nation's sporting landscape.

On his first day on the job, the former long-time head of the NRL said the ongoing success of the Socceroos along with the blistering start to the A-League season would not be going unnoticed by rival codes.

The arrival of world-class players Alessandro del Piero and Emile Heskey has created unprecedented levels of interest in the A-League and in turn soccer - momentum Gallop is keen to build on.

And having spent the best part of a decade telling anyone who would listen that rugby league could usurp the AFL as the national code of preference, Gallop now says soccer is the sport the rival codes must fear.

"If football gets its act together, which we're seeing right now, then the other codes need to be really worried about it," Gallop said.

"I can see a period of great growth and in that regard the other codes should be concerned.

"I think they would be looking at the results (in the A-League) over the last six weeks, seeing that we're now well and truly on the road to qualification for the World Cup in Brazil and concerned."

Gallop was adamant his long history in sports administration would outweigh his lack of soccer experience, claiming much of the ethos he brought to rugby league also applied to the round-ball game.