Australia have become the latest nation to name their squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup as they aim to qualify from a tough looking Group D.
Australian legend, Tony Popovic, is the man who will lead his nation into the World Cup after being appointed in 2024 and he’s named a squad that he believes is capable of going all the way.
There are plenty of familiar names in the Australian squad, with several players plying their trade in the English league. They include Swansea City’s Cameron Burgess, Harry Souttar of Leicester City, Nestory Irankunda of Watford and Norwich City’s Mohamed Touré.
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Australia World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathew Ryan | GK | Levante (Spain) | 104 | 0 |
| 12 | Paul Izzo | GK | Randers (Denmark) | 4 | 0 |
| 18 | Patrick Beach | GK | Melbourne City (Australia) | 1 | 0 |
| 16 | Aziz Behich | DF | Melbourne City (Australia) | 83 | 3 |
| 2 | Miloš Degenek | DF | APOEL (Cyprus) | 56 | 1 |
| 19 | Harry Souttar | DF | Leicester City (England) | 37 | 11 |
| 5 | Jordan Bos | DF | Feyenoord (Netherlands) | 26 | 4 |
| 21 | Cameron Burgess | DF | Swansea City (England) | 26 | 0 |
| 6 | Jason Geria | DF | Albirex Niigata (Japan) | 13 | 0 |
| 3 | Alessandro Circati | DF | Parma (Italy) | 12 | 1 |
| 15 | Kai Trewin | DF | New York City (United States) | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Jacob Italiano | DF | Grazer AK (Austria) | 4 | 0 |
| 25 | Lucas Herrington | DF | Colorado Rapids (United States) | 3 | 0 |
| 22 | Jackson Irvine | MF | St Pauli (Germany) | 81 | 14 |
| 10 | Ajdin Hrustic | MF | Heracles (Netherlands) | 37 | 4 |
| 8 | Connor Metcalfe | MF | St Pauli (Germany) | 35 | 1 |
| 13 | Aiden O’Neill | MF | New York City (United States) | 30 | 0 |
| 24 | Paul Okon-Engstler | MF | Sydney FC (Australia) | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Cammy Devlin | MF | Hearts (Scotland) | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | Mathew Leckie | FW | Melbourne City (Australia) | 79 | 14 |
| 11 | Awer Mabil | FW | Castellon (Spain) | 38 | 10 |
| 17 | Nestory Irankunda | FW | Watford (England) | 14 | 5 |
| 9 | Mohamed Touré | FW | Norwich City (England) | 9 | 2 |
| 23 | Nishan Velupillay | FW | Melbourne Victory (Australia) | 7 | 3 |
| 20 | Cristian Volpato | FW | Sassuolo (Italy) | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Tete Yengi | FW | Machida Zelvia (Japan) | 0 | 0 |
Australia have one of the most adventurous squads in the tournament, and it is a testament to the tactical vision of Tony Popovic that he has been willing to overlook some established names in favour of in-form talent.
While captain Mathew Ryan remains the side’s undisputed veteran and vocal leader, there is a wealth of experience to lean on elsewhere; no fewer than five players have already surpassed the 50-cap milestone, with Harry Souttar rapidly approaching that elite bracket as he anchors the Socceroos’ defensive line.
That is not to say the squad is without its share of fresh energy – Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Touré, and the recently committed Cristian Volpato are among those set to make their World Cup bows as Australia look to leave a lasting mark on the global stage.
- Read more: Australia World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Nestory Irankunda (Watford)
The stage is set for a breakout tournament that could define the next decade of Australian football for Nestory Irankunda. At just 20, the 2026 World Cup represents the first global showcase for the ‘Adelaide Rocket’, who has already established himself as a vital spark in Tony Popovic’s side. After a stellar season in the Championship with Watford, Irankunda arrives in North America with the weight of a nation’s expectations on his young shoulders, eager to prove he can translate his devastating domestic form to the biggest stage of all.
While the raw pace and thunderous ball-striking that made him a viral sensation in the A-League remain his primary weapons, there is a growing maturity to his game that suggests he is ready for the rigours of tournament football. The likes of Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie may provide the veteran stability and tactical discipline, but when Irankunda picks up the ball on the right flank and drives at a backline – the atmosphere shifts. He is the wildcard capable of the spectacular, the man who can turn a game on its head in a heartbeat.
Mohamed Toure (Norwich City)
At 22, this is the first opportunity for the powerful forward to announce himself on the global stage, having enjoyed a meteoric rise that recently saw him make a storming impact in the Championship with Norwich City. Touré is a symbol of the Socceroos’ diverse future and would love nothing more than to crown his remarkable season by firing his nation into the knockout rounds.
While the sheer physicality and clinical finishing that saw him net 10 goals in just 12 games for Norwich will be his primary threat, he has also developed into a more rounded tactical presence under the guidance of Tony Popovic. The likes of Harry Souttar and Aziz Behich will provide the defensive foundation, but when Touré is leading the line – anything can happen. He is the focal point capable of bullying world-class defenders, the striker Australia has long craved to turn their hard-fought possession into match-winning moments.
Jackson Irvine (St Pauli)
The 2026 World Cup marks a definitive moment for Jackson Irvine, who arrives in North America as the beating heart and moral compass of the Socceroos. At 33, this is likely the final global bow for the St. Pauli captain, a player whose influence transcends his tireless work rate in the middle of the park. With over 80 caps to his name, Irvine is the bridge between Australia’s gritty past and its vibrant future, and he would love nothing more than to steer this young squad to a historic deep run in his third consecutive tournament appearance.
While he may no longer possess the raw burst of a twenty-something, Irvine’s reading of the game and aerial dominance remain elite, often proving the difference in the tightest of international fixtures. He is the vocal conductor of Tony Popovic’s midfield, a leader who demands as much from himself as he does from the emerging talents around him. The likes of Irankunda and Touré might provide the headline-grabbing flair, but it is Irvine’s selfless industry and iron-willed presence that allow them the freedom to shine. When the pressure mounts in the final minutes, he is the man the Socceroos look to for calm.
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Australia World Cup 2026 fixtures
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