There’s something special about naming a World Cup squad. Every four years, it feels like Christmas morning for football fans. Rumours swirl, debates rage, and finally, the list drops. For the Socceroos in 2026, we’ve landed on a squad that’s young, dynamic, and ready to handle the brutal North American summer heat.

This isn’t a squad built on nostalgia or reputation. It’s built for the conditions, for the pace of modern football, and for the energy we’ll need if we’re going to shock the world again in stadiums across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Let’s break it down position by position.

Goalkeepers: Ryan still the safe hands

This was probably the easiest call of the lot.

Ryan is still number one, and unless disaster strikes, he’ll start every game. He’s the veteran presence every squad needs and the calming voice behind a young defence. His experience alone is priceless.

Behind him, Paul Izzo has built himself into a serious number two. Solid shot stopper, reliable under pressure, and playing regularly in Europe. He’s earned his spot.

Joe Gauci rounds out the trio. He’s young, brave, and still learning, but this is exactly the kind of tournament where a third-choice keeper gets invaluable experience for the future.

Unattached and without minutes, Tom Glover simply couldn’t be carried in a squad where everyone needs to be ready to play.

Defence: Circati and Souttar the backbone

If the Socceroos are going to make waves again in 2026, it’ll be built on a solid back line. Thankfully, we’re stacked.

Circati has gone from promising kid to nailed-on starter. He’s fearless, composed, and already looks like he belongs at this level. Assuming Souttar is fit, the big man walks straight back into the XI. Between the two, Australia finally has a centre-back pairing with bite, brains, and a set-piece threat.

Cameron Burgess edges Miloš Degenek for the final centre-back spot. It’s a tight call, but Burgess’s form in the Championship and his left-foot balance gives him the nod. Deng also makes it, thanks to his versatility means he pips Rowles. He can play centrally or wide, and that flexibility will be gold.

On the flanks, Jordan Bos owns the left. Along with Irankunda, Bos is genuinely world-class. He’s young, flying, and can push forward when needed. Aziz Behich keeps his place too. Maligned by some fans, but his experience and work rate are too valuable to throw away. And let’s not forget — his heroics got us to the World Cup in the first place.

On the right, Lewis Miller and Sammy Silvera both get the call. Silvera’s inclusion might raise eyebrows, but his ability to push higher up and operate almost as a winger adds another dimension. Miller gives you that no-nonsense defensive option.

That means Miloš Degenek and Kye Rowles are unlucky to miss out. Jack Iredale wasn’t seriously considered, while Hayden Matthews is a huge talent but isn’t playing enough yet. Fran Karačić is in great form for Hajduk Split, but Miller and Silvera edged him. Kasey Bos has talent, but he can’t usurp his brother Jordan or Behich at left-back. One to watch is Jacob Italiano, who could force his way into future squads — we’d love to see him get minutes soon. As for Kai Trewin, Jason Davidson, Alex Gersbach, Alex Bonetig, Sebastian Esposito, Ryan Strain, Alex Grant, and Gianni Stensness — they all miss out this time.

Midfield: Irvine leads, Segecic the wild card

This was probably the toughest area to cut down. Australia has real depth in midfield, and leaving out good players hurt.

The first name on the teamsheet is Jackson Irvine. He gets the captaincy over Matt Ryan, and it feels like a natural passing of the torch. He’s a true leader, bleeds for the shirt, and is the heartbeat of this squad. Irvine embodies everything you want in a Socceroos skipper — relentless work rate, presence in both boxes, and the ability to set the tone for everyone around him.

Can’t wait to see him juggle questions about the Trump regime in North America — he’ll handle them with the same dry wit and calmness he shows on the pitch. Either way, “Action Jackson” will do what he always does: run, fight, and drag this team forward with punch and grit, while still somehow looking every bit a Prada model. A warrior with edge and style — that’s our captain.

Assuming he’s fit, Riley McGree makes it too. He drifts in and out of games at times, but when he’s on, he offers creativity at just the right moments. This could be his breakout World Cup.

Connor Metcalfe is another lock. He’s growing into one of our most important midfielders — ageing like fine wine and getting better every season in Germany.

For the engine room, we’ve gone with Aiden O’Neill and Max Balard as the holding pair. They might not grab the headlines, but they’ll do the dirty work, break up play, and let the creative guys push on.

Then there’s the controversial pick: Anthony Caceres. He can play as a 6, 8, or 10, and his ball security and vision are exactly what this squad needs. Honestly, his career could have been much bigger, but for the Socceroos, he’s a perfect fit.

To round things out, we’ve added the wildcard — Adrian Segecic. Supremely confident, direct, and the kind of player who can run at tired defences in the final 20 minutes. A game-changer off the bench.

So who misses out? Ajdin Hrustic is the big one. On his day, he can be brilliant, but his lack of versatility costs him here. Massimo Luongo still has quality, but asking him to go through a North American summer at 32 felt like too much.

Then there’s Alex Robertson. For years he’s been one of the most talked-about prospects in Australian football, the kind of player you build a midfield around. On his day, he’s genuinely world-class — calm on the ball, able to break lines with a pass, and with the confidence to dictate the tempo of a game. He could have been a game-changer at this tournament, which makes his omission all the more painful.

Paul Okon-Engstler is probably just too early in his career. And then there’s Ryan Teague, Patrick Yazbek, Luke Brattan, Keanu Baccus, and Anthony Kalik — all good footballers, but edged out by the balance of O’Neill and Balard.

It’s brutal, but that’s World Cup football.

Forwards: youth, pace, and an open race

This is where it gets exciting. The Socceroos attack looks very different from 2022 — younger, faster, hungrier.

Barring injury, the first two names on the team sheet are Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda.

Mo Toure brings an all-round striking package we haven’t seen in years. He’s quick, powerful, skilful, and clinical. He’s our number nine, and for us, he starts every game.

Then there’s Nestory — the star boy. Irankunda is the X-factor. He can start or come off the bench, but either way he terrifies defenders. His pace is explosive, his dribbling fearless, and his free kicks freakish. At just 19, he’s already a genuine world-class talent.

The real debate comes with depth behind them. Kusini Yengi is big, strong, and, when confident, offers a traditional target-man option. Noah Botic looks like a long-term No. 9 and might be the most complete striker of the chasing pack. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is knocking around too, though he hasn’t quite done enough in Scotland. For others — like Daniel Benny and Nicholas D’Agostino — 2026 feels a little too soon.

Out wide, Craig Goodwin had to be included. Our best player in 2022, he still has the quality to deliver when it matters. Nishan Velupillay also forces his way in after a brilliant qualifying campaign, scoring clutch goals and proving he belongs on the big stage.

That leaves one final forward spot — and right now, it’s wide open. The last few months before the World Cup will decide it. Marco Tilio, Noah Botic, Nicolas Milanovic, Mathew Leckie, Zac Sapsford, and Kusini Yengi are all in the conversation. Our wild stab in the dark? Thomas Waddingham. If the Portsmouth striker has a breakout year, he’s got the tools to make it. But that jersey is still very much up for grabs.

Some big names miss out. Martin Boyle — “Mr Vibes” himself — has given everything in green and gold, but his best feels behind him. Daniel Arzani, once our great hope, hasn’t been consistent enough to justify a spot. Stalwarts like Adam Taggart, Mitch Duke, and Brandon Borrello also fall short, edged out by younger legs. Duke, in particular, deserves a mention — a warrior who led the line with heart for years, and whose goal at the 2022 World Cup will live long in the memory.

And then there’s Mathew Leckie. Not here right now, but if he’s fit and in form come 2026, he’ll be right back in the mix. His experience, versatility, and knack for delivering in big moments mean you can never rule him out.

So the five we’re taking — Toure, Irankunda, Goodwin, Velupillay, and (for now) Waddingham — give us a balance of youth, pace, and experience. But that final spot? Still open, still contested, and likely to spark the fiercest debate in the lead-up to kick-off.

Built for the heat, built for the fight

For us, this is the most exciting Socceroos squad since 2006. It’s been built with the heat of Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey in mind — younger legs, fresher lungs, and players who can press and run for 90 minutes straight.

It also shows where Australian football is right now. More young Aussies than ever are playing in Europe, testing themselves in top leagues, and bringing that belief back home.

And who knows? With Mo Toure leading the line, Irankunda — the star boy — lighting up the wings, and Irvine bossing the midfield, maybe, just maybe, the Socceroos are about to deliver their biggest World Cup yet.

👉 What do you think? Who makes your squad? Who’s the toughest omission? Let us know in the comments.

Full squad lists

✅ Selected 23-man squad

Goalkeepers
Mathew Ryan – Levante (Spain) – 100 caps
Paul Izzo – Randers (Denmark) – 2 caps
Joe Gauci – Port Vale (England) – 8 caps

Defenders
Alessandro Circati – Parma (Italy) – 7 caps
Harry Souttar – Leicester City (England) – 36 caps, 11 goals
Cameron Burgess – Swansea City (Wales) – 19 caps
Thomas Deng – Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan) – 5 caps
Jordan Bos – Feyenoord (Netherlands) – 21 caps, 1 goal
Lewis Miller – Blackburn Rovers (England) – 16 caps, 2 goals
Samuel Silvera – Middlesbrough (England) – 8 caps
Aziz Behich – Melbourne City (Australia) – 81 caps, 3 goals

Midfielders
Connor Metcalfe – FC St. Pauli (Germany) – 28 caps, 1 goal
Jackson Irvine – FC St. Pauli (Germany) – 78 caps, 14 goals
Riley McGree – Middlesbrough (England) – 31 caps, 1 goal
Anthony Caceres – Macarthur FC (Australia) – 4 caps
Aiden O'Neill – New York City (USA) – 23 caps
Max Balard – NAC Breda (Netherlands) – 2 caps, 1 goal
Adrian Segecic – Portsmouth (England) – 0 caps

Forwards
Mohamed Toure – Randers (Denmark) – 4 caps, 2 goals
Nestory Irankunda – Watford (England) – 7 caps, 2 goals
Craig Goodwin – Adelaide United (Australia) – 31 caps, 7 goals
Nishan Velupillay – Melbourne Victory (Australia) – 5 caps, 3 goals
Thomas Waddingham – Portsmouth (England)

❌ Players who missed out

Goalkeepers
Tom Glover – unattached – 0 caps

Defenders
Miloš Degenek – TSC (Serbia) – 50 caps, 1 goal
Kye Rowles – D.C. United (USA) – 26 caps, 1 goal
Jack Iredale – Hibernian (Scotland) – 0 caps
Hayden Matthews – Portsmouth (England) – 1 cap
Fran Karačić – Hajduk Split (Croatia) – 15 caps, 1 goal
Kasey Bos – Mainz 05 (Germany) – 0 caps
Kai Trewin – Melbourne City (Australia) – 0 caps
Jason Davidson – Melbourne Victory (Australia) – 23 caps, 1 goal
Alex Gersbach – Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) – 6 caps
Alex Bonetig – Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) – 0 caps
Sebastian Esposito – Melbourne Victory (Australia) – 0 caps
Ryan Strain – Dundee United (Scotland) – 6 caps
Alex Grant – Sydney FC (Australia) – 0 caps
Gianni Stensness – Viking (Norway) – 2 caps

Midfielders
Ajdin Hrustic – Heracles Almelo (Netherlands) – 33 caps, 4 goals
Ryan Teague – Mechelen (Belgium) – 4 caps
Patrick Yazbek – Nashville SC (USA) – 6 caps
Anthony Kalik – Hajduk Split (Croatia) – 0 caps
Paul Okon-Engstler – Sydney FC (Australia) – 0 caps
Keanu Baccus – St Mirren (Scotland) – 21 caps, 1 goal
Luke Brattan – Macarthur FC (Australia) – 1 cap
Massimo Luongo – Millwall (England) – 45 caps, 6 goals

Forwards
Mathew Leckie – Melbourne City (Australia) – 76 caps, 14 goals
Kusini Yengi – Aberdeen (Scotland) – 11 caps, 6 goals
Nicholas D'Agostino – 0 caps
Nicolas Milanovic – Aberdeen (Scotland) – 2 caps
Marco Tilio – Rapid Wien (Austria) – 10 caps
Noah Botic – Austria Wien (Austria) – 0 caps
Mitch Duke – Machida Zelvia (Japan) – 48 caps, 13 goals
Adam Taggart – Perth Glory (Australia) – 21 caps, 7 goals
Martin Boyle – Hibernian (Scotland) – 36 caps, 10 goals
Brandon Borrello – Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) – 16 caps, 2 goals
Daniel Arzani – Ferencváros (Hungary) – 10 caps, 1 goal
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos – Motherwell (Scotland) – 1 cap