Australia manager Tony Popovic has unveiled a surprising 26-man squad for the World Cup, handing maiden call-ups to forward Tete Yengi and winger Cristian Volpato while leaving out experienced Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle. The final selection, whittled down from an extended pre-tournament training group, underscores Popovic's willingness to reward form and take calculated risks on the biggest stage.
Yengi’s journey to the World Cup is one of the more unusual stories in football. The 25-year-old Livingston striker was loaned to Japanese side Machida Zelvia in January, even as his parent club battled to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership. In Japan, Yengi flourished, netting six goals in 22 outings and helping Machida Zelvia secure third place in the East Region while also reaching the final of the Asian Champions League. Those performances earned him a late invitation to the Socceroos’ pre-camp, where he clearly did enough to convince Popovic he deserved a seat on the plane.
Equally eye-catching is the inclusion of Volpato, a 22-year-old Sassuolo winger who previously represented Italy at Under-21 level. FIFA only ratified his switch of international allegiance on Friday, just days before the squad announcement. Volpato’s technical ability and creativity offer Australia an extra dimension in attack, and his rapid integration into the squad suggests he has adapted seamlessly. Like Yengi, he was a late addition to the training camp, yet managed to leapfrog more established candidates.
The most notable omission is Martin Boyle, a 41-cap veteran who has been a regular for both club and country. Boyle’s absence signals a changing of the guard, though Popovic offered no specific explanation beyond the generic need for tough choices. Another player who failed to survive the cut was DC United defender Kye Rowles, a former Hearts stalwart who had also been drafted into the pre-camp late. The decisions highlight the fierce competition for places and the manager’s ruthlessness.
While fresh faces dominate the headlines, Australia’s squad is anchored by a core of seasoned campaigners. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan (Levante) and forward Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City) are both set to equal the national record by appearing at their fourth World Cup. Their experience will be invaluable in guiding the younger members through the tournament’s pressure cooker. Defenders Aziz Behich (Melbourne City) and midfielder Jackson Irvine (St Pauli) are on track for their third finals, bringing further stability.
Among the players named for their second World Cup are Heart of Midlothian midfielder Cammy Devlin and Leicester City centre-half Harry Souttar. Souttar, born in Aberdeen, shares a unique subplot: his brother John is part of the Scotland squad, creating a sibling rivalry on football’s grandest stage. Other inclusions such as Swansea City’s Cameron Burgess, Watford winger Nestory Irankunda, and Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure point to a squad that blends domestic A-League talent with Europe-based players.
The full list sees Ryan joined in goal by Paul Izzo (Randers) and Joe Beach (Melbourne City). The defensive unit is the largest group, featuring Bos (Feyenoord), Burgess, Circati (Parma), Degenek (APOEL), Geria (Albirex Niigata), Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Italiano (Grazer), Souttar, and Trewin (New York City). Midfielders include Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Irvine, Metcalfe (St Pauli), Okon-Englster (Sydney), and O'Neill (New York City). Up front, Irankunda, Leckie, Mabil (Castellon), Toure, Velupilly (Melbourne City), Volpato, and Yengi will compete for starting spots.
Popovic did not hide the challenge of trimming the squad. He stated: "Some difficult decisions had to be made – that’s the nature of major tournaments. But it’s also a credit to all the players involved over the past few weeks who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp." The quote reflects both the human cost of selection and the competitive environment he fostered.
Australia’s immediate focus now shifts to a pre-tournament friendly against Switzerland on Saturday, the last chance to fine-tune before their World Cup opener against Turkey on 14 June. The Switzerland test will provide a stern examination, allowing Popovic to experiment with partnerships and gauge how the new arrivals mesh with the established order.
Ultimately, the squad tells a story of transition. By backing Yengi’s improbable ascent and Volpato’s international switcheroo, Popovic has signaled that current form and upside outweigh past reputation. Whether that gambit pays off remains to be seen, but the Socceroos head into the tournament with a blend of fresh legs and battle-hardened minds.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.