Tony Popovic names Australia squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Australia manager Tony Popovic has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
As Australia gear up for their sixth successive FIFA World Cup, former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic has named his 26-man Socceroos squad to travel to North America this summer.
The headline news is with regards to absentees as Martin Boyle has been left out. The Hibernian forward played a key role in Australia qualifying for Qatar three and a half years ago but a knee injury then ruled him out of the tournament and the 33-year-old has missed out this time due to Cristian Volpato’s late switch of international allegiance.
Sydney-born Volpato grew up playing his football in Australia before beginning his professional career at Roma and continuing on at Sassuolo, where he played 24 times in Serie A this season. Having represented Italy at U19, U20 and U21 level, the latter as recently as last year, Volpato has switched to Australia on the eve of the tournament, squeezing Boyle out of the squad.
Other experienced attackers such as Brandon Borrello and Mitch Duke have also missed out for the Australians, while Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree has also not made the squad due to injury.
Hayden Matthews, of Portsmouth, has also picked up an injury on the eve of the tournament and so the defender has also been left out with Popovic blessed with a bit of experience at the back.
Like Volpato, Parma defender Alessandro Circati is another to have represented Italy at youth level to now be playing at a FIFA World Cup for Australia, having made his switch back in 2023.
Alongside Circati, the Australian defence boasts the likes of EFL stalwarts such as Cameron Burgess and Harry Souttar, as well as Feyenoord full-back Jordan Bos.
In goal, captain Mat Ryan will again be between the sticks for his fourth FIFA World Cup, with Paul Izzo and Patrick Beach his understudies, squeezing out Port Vale’s Joe Gauci.
Australia have some very exciting youngsters in the final third, such as Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure, while 30-year-old winger Awer Mabil will miss Castellon’s La Liga 2 playoff campaign to link up with his national side.
Despite the absence of McGree, Australia do possess some experience in the middle of the park, such as Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic and Aiden O’Neill.
Having made the round of 16 at FIFA World Cup 2022, Australia will believe they can pose a very awkward proposition to the likes of the United States, Paraguay and Turkiye in perhaps the most evenly matched group this summer.
