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Key Points

Tony Popovic has announced Australia's 26-man squad for crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia. With Australia currently second in Group C, the stakes are high as they aim for automatic qualification. Popovic is optimistic about the Socceroos' position, expressing confidence in overcoming the upcoming challenges. The squad sees notable returns from Alessandro Circati and Riley McGree, both recovering from injuries to join the team in this pivotal moment.

Key Points: Tony Popovic Reveals Australia Squad for Key World Cup Qualifiers

  • Australia's 26-man squad to face Japan and Saudi Arabia
  • A win secures automatic qualification for Socceroos
  • Alessandro Circati and Riley McGree return from injury
2 min read

Popovic names Australia's extended squad for crunch World Cup qualifiers

Tony Popovic selects 26-man squad as Australia vies for automatic World Cup qualification.

"We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect. - Tony Popovic"

Sydney, June 1

Australia's men's football head coach Tony Popovic has named an extended 26-man squad on Sunday for the final fixtures in the third round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Australia currently sits second in Group C with 13 points from eight games and will play first-placed Japan in Western Australia on Thursday and third-placed Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on the following Tuesday.

The top two-ranked teams will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup and a win against Japan would guarantee qualification for the Socceroos. If the Australians are beaten by Japan in Perth, a draw against Saudi Arabia would likely be enough to finish second in the group because of the Socceroos' current three-point and goal difference advantage.

"We've put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny. We are ready to embrace this challenge with great respect of our opponents, though full of belief and confidence to achieve our goal of automatic qualification," Popovic said on Sunday, as quoted by Xinhua.

Popovic's squad includes four players who have never represented the Socceroos and only two who have made over 50 appearances for the national team -- veteran goalkeeper Maty Ryan and defender Azi Behich.

Behich is one of six squad members who played in Saturday night's A-League grand final, which was won by Melbourne City against crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory.

Emerging defender Alessandro Circati has been named after recovering from a ruptured ACL injury suffered in September 2024 and star midfielder Riley McGree has also been selected to return from injury.

If the Socceroos do not finish in the top two positions in Group C they will progress to the fourth round of AFC qualification as they aim to reach a sixth consecutive World Cup.

Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Australia always performs well in football qualifiers. Hope India can reach this level someday. Our boys need better infrastructure and training to compete at this stage. All the best to Socceroos though! 🇦🇺⚽
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Priya M.
Interesting to see so many new faces in the squad. Popovic taking risks before crucial matches! Maty Ryan's experience will be crucial against Japan. Asian football is getting more competitive - even India gave Australia a tough match last year!
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Arjun S.
Why no Tim Cahill-like superstar in current Australian team? They used to be so strong. Now relying on A-League players mostly. Still better than our Blue Tigers though 😅 Hope they qualify - always support Asian teams in World Cup!
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Neha T.
As an Indian football fan, I enjoy watching Australia play. Their physical style is different from our technical players. Hope India can learn from their grassroots development. Good luck against Japan - that will be a cracking match! 🤩
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Vikram J.
Surprised to see only 2 players with 50+ caps. Shows transition phase for Australia. But they still have better system than India - their players get European exposure early. Our ISL needs to improve to help Indian football grow.
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Sunita R.
Australia vs Japan will be exciting! Both teams play beautiful football. Hope one day India can regularly compete at this level. Our girls team is improving - maybe women's football is where we'll shine first? 🤔

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