Australia's head coach Tony Popovic has unveiled the final 26-player squad for the CommBank Socceroos ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, featuring a mix of experienced players and newcomers. Notably, 17 members of the squad will be making their World Cup debut, while five players from the A-League have secured their spots.

A-League Representation

The five A-League players selected are Patrick Beach, Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie, Paul Okon-Engstler, and Nishan Velupillay. This selection highlights the growing influence of the domestic league on the national team. Among the squad, Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi are two uncapped players who may have the opportunity to make their international debuts during the tournament.

Veteran Players and Their Milestones

Several seasoned players are on the brink of achieving significant milestones. Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie are poised to make their fourth World Cup appearance, potentially joining Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan in the record books. Additionally, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, and Jackson Irvine are set to participate in their third World Cup, while Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, and Harry Souttar will be appearing for the second time.

In a statement regarding the squad announcement, Popovic expressed his satisfaction with the selection process, acknowledging the hard work of all players involved in the lead-up to the tournament. He emphasized the importance of the contributions from those who helped secure World Cup qualification but did not make the final squad. With preparations now underway for an upcoming friendly against Switzerland, the focus shifts to the group matches in the tournament.