Socceroos Name 26-Player Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Australia’s 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been confirmed, with coach Tony Popovic selecting a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent for the tournament in North America.
The World Cup begins this month across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the Socceroos aiming to build on their impressive Round of 16 appearance in Qatar in 2022.
New Faces Set for World Cup Debuts
Seventeen members of the squad are in line to make their FIFA World Cup debut. Among them are highly rated young talents Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi, who are yet to make a senior appearance for Australia but have earned selection for football’s biggest stage.
Veteran goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan leads the squad with 103 international appearances. Ryan and Melbourne City’s Mathew Leckie are both set to compete in their fourth World Cup, equalling the Australian record currently held by Socceroos legends Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan.
There was disappointment for several established players, including forward Martin Boyle and defender Kye Rowles, who missed out on selection.
Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach, Paul Izzo, Mat Ryan
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin
Midfielders: Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O’Neill
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, Tete Yengi
Final Preparations Underway
The squad announcement follows Australia’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Mexico in an international friendly. The Socceroos have one final tune-up match against Switzerland on 7 June before their World Cup campaign begins.
Australia has been drawn in Group D alongside Türkiye, Paraguay and tournament co-hosts the United States.
The Socceroos will be looking to make history by advancing beyond the Round of 16 for the first time. Australia’s best World Cup performances came in 2006 and 2022, when the national team reached the knockout stages before being eliminated.
