Europe-based stars dominate Socceroos squad
Australia coach Graham Arnold has named an extended 24-man squad to begin the Socceroos' 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Indonesia.
The September FIFA Men’s International Window signifies the commencement of the Third Round of qualification for the showpiece tournament, with Australia to face Bahrain on the Gold Coast on Thursday, 5 September, before travelling to Jakarta to take on Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday, 10 September.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
The Socceroos’ clash with Bahrain at Robina Stadium will be the first time the senior men’s national team has played on the Gold Coast.
Arnold will assemble a squad that features many of the names that helped Australia defeat Bangladesh away (2-0) and Palestine at home (5-0) in the final stage of second round AFC qualifiers, sealing an undefeated run through the preliminary stages.
Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda FC) has been named after his return from injury, while captain Mathew Ryan (AS Roma) also returns after being rested in June.
Lewis Miller (Hibernian FC) and Aiden O’Neill (Standard de Liège) have been selected after their successful returns from injury respectively, with Awer Mabil (Grasshopper Club Zurich) also earning a recall to the national team after a blistering start to his season in Switzerland – including eight goal involvements in a recent Swiss Cup fixture.
Nestory Irankunda (FC Bayern Munich), Paul Izzo (Randers FC) and Harry Souttar (Sheffield United FC) have been named thanks to strong early season form with their new clubs. Alessandro Circati (Parma Calcio 1913) will arrive on the Gold Coast as a newly-minted Serie A player, while both Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (FC St Pauli) are fresh off Bundesliga debuts.
Gold Coast local, Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian FC) will be joined in camp by club teammate, Cam Devlin, while Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth FC) has shrugged off any injury concerns to make the trip with new Pompey teammate, Sam Silvera.
“Our full focus is on these opening two games and starting strongly," Arnold said. "Two positive results to open Round Three not only builds belief within the group but gives us great momentum as we move into what will be three consecutive windows.
“The standards we set are always high and they’ve played a significant role in the growth of this group and what we were able to achieve in Round Two.
"The players understand what’s expected of them in terms of their focus, preparation and energy in camp as we move into the next stage of qualification.
“We’ve got a great mix of players who’ve been through this phase of qualification before and can lead the way for some of the younger members of our squad, their experience will play an important role throughout this journey."
