Anthony Pantazopoulos to represent Australia in AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers

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The Subway Australian U-23s’ squad, travelling to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, has been revealed today.

A 24 -player squad has been confirmed to compete in Group D alongside China PR (host), Northern Mariana Islands and Timor-Leste in Xi’an, China PR during the 1-9 September FIFA window.

Subway Australian U23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar said the named squad is a mix of Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s talent along with a few players who currently represent clubs overseas.

“With the exception of Kealey Adamson (Queens Park Rangers FC), Giuseppe Bovalina (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Jed Drew (TSV Hartberg) and Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth FC) we have representation from multiple clubs in the Isuzu UTE A-League,” Vidmar said. 

“The selected players represent the view the team and I have had, in the lead up to this competition, that we wanted to work with new and existing talent across a range of leagues and clubs to build greater depth across the squad. 

“We have also worked hard to develop the squad and create opportunities for players to show us their individual qualities over the last six months and provide experiences that will set them up for the Asian Cup Qualifiers this September. 

“Having a mix of players from overseas and Australia, who have been getting plenty of minutes at their respective clubs, has meant we are taking a strong and competitive squad to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers in China PR.

“This is a great tournament to be a part of and will provide an excellent experience for the group.

“I’m excited by the group we have named today, and I am looking forward to seeing them perform on the pitch.”

Subway Australian U23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar has decided to name an additional squad member and will finalise the final 23-player squad prior to the FIFA window commencing on 1 September.

Qualifiers for the 7th edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ – to be held in Saudi Arabia – will feature 44 teams, who will be divided into 11 groups.  

Each group within qualifying will be contested in a centralised league format, with teams seeded into pots based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions of the Finals, which saw the Subway Australian U-23s drawn from Pot 1. 

The squad will need to finish as one of the 11 Group winners or the four best second-placed teams to advance to the Finals.  

For a complete list of Qualifying Groups for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 please click here

AUSTRALIAN U-23 SQUAD | AFC U23 ASIAN CUP™ SAUDI ARABIA 2026 QUALIFIERS | 1-9 SEPTEMBER

NamePositionCurrent ClubJunior Club / Member Federation
Kealey ADAMSONDefenderQueens Park Rangers FC, EnglandLindfield FC / Football NSW
Ethan ALAGICHMidfielderAdelaide United FC, AustraliaValley View SC / Football SA
Patrick BEACHGoalkeeperMelbourne City FC, AustraliaGlenmore Park FC / Football NSW
Nathanael BLAIRForwardPerth Glory FC, AustraliaMarrickville FC / Football NSW
Giuseppe BOVALINADefenderVancouver Whitecaps FC, CanadaCroydon FC / Football SA
Rhys BOZINOVSKIMidfielderWestern United FC, AustraliaSpring Hills Stallions FC / Football VIC
Jed DREWForwardTSV Hartberg, AustriaMeltham Athletic FC (England)
Yaya DUKULYForwardAdelaide United FC, AustraliaPara Hills Knights SC / Football SA
Ben GIBSONForwardNewcastle Jets FC, AustraliaCollaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSW
Matthew GRIMALDIForwardWestern United FC, AustraliaWatsonia Heights FC / Football VIC
Aydan HAMMONDForwardWestern Sydney Wanderers FC, AustraliaFairfield Hotspurs / Football NSW
Kaelan MAJEKODUNMIDefenderPerth Glory FC, AustraliaCarramar Cougars Junior FC / Football West
Anthony PANTAZOPOULOSDefenderWestern Sydney Wanderers FC, AustraliaBrunswick City SC / Football VIC
Nathan PAULLDefenderCentral Coast Mariners FC, AustraliaHeathcote Waratah FC / Football NSW
Dylan PERAIC-CULLENGoalkeeperCentral Coast Mariners FC, AustraliaWoden Valley SC / Capital Football
Oscar PRIESTMANMidfielderWestern Sydney Wanderers FC, AustraliaSeaforth FC / Football NSW
Joshua RAWLINSDefenderMelbourne Victory FC. AustraliaDianella Junior SC / Football West
Jing REECForwardMelbourne Victory FC. AustraliaMt Druitt Town Rangers FC / Football NSW
Alexander ROBINSONGoalkeeperMacarthur FC, AustraliaMt Druitt Town Rangers FC / Football NSW
Adrian SEGECICMidfielderPortsmouth FC, EnglandLidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football NSW
Aidan SIMMONSDefenderWestern Sydney Wanderers FC, AustraliaSt George FC / Football NSW
Jordi VALADONMidfielderMelbourne Victory FC, AustraliaGlen Eira FC / Football VIC
Kane VIDMARDefenderUnattachedWest Torrens Birkalla SC / Football SA
Abel WALATEEForwardWestern United FC, AustraliaNorth Sunshine Eagles FC / Football VIC

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