Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach, Tony Popovic has named an extended 26-man squad ahead of Australia’s AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 fixtures against China PR and Japan.
The October FIFA Men’s International Window will be Popovic’s first in charge of the senior men’s national team, as Australia take on China PR at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on Thursday, 10 October (kick-off 7:30pm local/8pm AEDT) and Japan at Saitama Stadium 2002, Tokyo on Tuesday, 15 October (7.35pm local/9.35pm AEDT).
It’s been a busy period for Popovic after assuming the role of Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach just 12 days ago, assembling an experienced group of coaches and support staff and selecting a squad to continue Australia’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualification journey.
Massimo Luongo (Ipswich Town FC) has made himself available for selection, following his retirement from international football in late-2023. The midfielder was instrumental in Ipswich’s promotion into the English Premier League and will now re-join the national team for the remainder of this qualification cycle.
📋 Tony Popovic’s first #Socceroos squad is locked in for our @FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers against China PR and Japan! 🔒
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 4, 2024
📰 Read more: https://t.co/KKiBAolHlA#DifferentBreed #SeeSouthAustralia pic.twitter.com/6nehPV87xT
Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory FC) has been awarded his first call up to the senior national team and will be joined by club teammates, Daniel Arzani and Jason Geria who returns to the Subway Socceroos’ set up eight years on from earning his first international cap.
The South Australian contingent of Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa FC), Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda FC), Nestory Irankunda (FC Bayern Munich), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough FC) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Motherwell FC) have all earnt selection and will be eager at the prospect of a return to Adelaide.
Ajdin Hrustic (U.S. Salernitana 1919) has been named following a recent move to the Serie B, along with Gianni Stensness (Viking FK) who has successfully returned from an ACL injury, while Jordy Bos (K.V.C Westerlo) has recovered from a minor hamstring injury that ruled him out of the September FIFA Men’s International Window.
Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach, Tony Popovic said he was looking forward to working with the squad on their arrival in Adelaide.
“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey, and it’s an honour to lead this group of players,” Popovic said.
“I’m eager to welcome both the players and new staff into camp as we come together for the first time. This October window offers a great opportunity to showcase a vast improvement, both in our desire and in the quality of our play.
“This time in camp will be crucial as we lay the foundations that will not only help us succeed in this window but set the tone for our future ambitions,” Popovic concluded.
The squad announcement comes following a final release of tickets for the Subway Socceroos’ clash with China PR at Adelaide Oval, the last chance for fans to secure their seats for this highly anticipated fixture.
Scheduled to be played from September 2024 to June 2025, the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 will feature three groups of six teams playing in a home-and-away, round-robin format, offering direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ for the top two finishers of each group.
To find out all the latest information on fixtures, results and Third Round Qualification updates please click here.
The Subway Socceroos FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers will be broadcast live thanks to Football Australia’s broadcast partner, Paramount Australia.
