Socceroos Announce Squad for Brazil Clash

Tony Popovic promised change. He has delivered it with a thud.

The Socceroos coach has ripped into his first post-World Cup squad, naming seven uncapped players in a 26-man group to face Brazil in Townsville and Brisbane later this month – and leaving out two of the most familiar faces in Australian football.

Ryan axed as new era bites

Mat Ryan, four World Cups and more than 100 caps behind him, is out. Not just out of the starting XI, as he was during the World Cup, but gone from the squad altogether despite regular minutes in La Liga with Levante.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football and a player that has had a distinguished career – continues to have one, over 100 caps,” Popovic said in Brisbane. “We’d like to have a look at another keeper. We’ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we’ve been in charge.”

Asked how Ryan took the news, Popovic was blunt but respectful.

“No, he’s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that’s why he’s had such a distinguished career. He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”

The message is clear: no one is untouchable.

Ryan isn’t alone. Fellow four-time World Cup veteran Mat Leckie has also been left out, as have depth options Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.

Injury has ruled out Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, all of whom featured in Canada and the USA.

World Cup core stays – but kids crash the party

Sixteen members of the squad that reached the knockout rounds at this year’s World Cup keep their place. Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati – all fresh from big European moves on the back of that campaign – headline the returning core.

Around them, Popovic has started to redraw the map.

Two previously uncapped players who have been around camp before, Kasey Bos and teenager Dylan Leonard, are back and this time make the full squad. Bos, younger brother of injured left-back Jordy, is at Excelsior Rotterdam on loan from Mainz 05. Leonard is currently on loan at Alemannia Aachen from Schalke.

On top of that, five players aged 25 or younger receive their first Socceroos call-up.

• Forward Eli Adams, who swapped the Newcastle Jets for Gamba Osaka, and Queen’s Park Rangers right-back Kealey Adamson headline that new wave. Both bring energy and attacking intent in wide areas.
• St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman steps into the vacancy left by Ryan. On the flanks, Yaya Dukuly of Celje and Brøndby winger Marcus Younis add more pace and depth.
• There is experience returning too. Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are back after missing the World Cup through injury, while Alex Robertson forces his way in again on the strength of his form for Cardiff City.

Brazil test looms – and the Asian Cup clock is ticking

Popovic has been open about what this camp is really about: Brazil, yes, but also 2027.

“We are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,” he said in a statement.

Australia face Brazil – the most successful nation in World Cup history – in Townsville on Friday 25 September and in Brisbane on Tuesday 29 September, both kicking off at 8pm AEST.

“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.

“We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”

Two camps. Four games. Then the Asian Cup squad is locked.

For Ryan, Leckie and the other absentees, the door is not yet closed. For the seven uncapped players, the door has just swung wide open.

Against Brazil, we find out who walks through it.

Socceroos squad vs Brazil

• GOALKEEPERS
  Patrick Beach (Troyes)
  Jacob Chapman (St Mirren)
  Paul Izzo (Randers FC)
• DEFENDERS
  Kealey Adamson (Queen’s Park Rangers)
  Aziz Behich (Melbourne City)
  Kasey Bos (Excelsior Rotterdam, on loan from Mainz 05)
  Alessandro Circati (Benfica)
  Milos Degenek (Apoel FC)
  Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata)
  Lucas Herrington (Hull City)
  Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK)
  Dylan Leonard (Alemannia Aachen, on loan from Schalke)
  Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
• MIDFIELDERS
  Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka)
  Riley McGree (Middlesbrough)
  Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli)
  Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC)
  Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Köln)
  Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City)
  Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
• FORWARDS
  Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka)
  Yaya Dukuly (NK Celje)
  Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP)
  Mohamed Toure (Norwich City)
  Tete Yengi (FC Machida Zelvia)
  Marcus Younis (Brøndby IF)

Brazil squad vs Australia

• GOALKEEPERS
  Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
  Pedro Morisco (Coritiba)
  Otávio (Cruzeiro)
• DEFENDERS
  Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR)
  Douglas Santos (Zenit)
  Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
  Jair (Nottingham Forest)
  Marquinhos (PSG)
  Matheuzinho (Corinthians)
  Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven)
  Vitor Reis (Manchester City)
  Wesley (Roma)
• MIDFIELDERS
  Andrey Santos (Manchester United)
  Breno Bidon (Corinthians)
  Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal)
  Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
  Douglas Luiz (Juventus)
  Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)
• FORWARDS
  Endrick (Real Madrid)
  Estêvão (Chelsea)
  João Pedro (Chelsea)
  Pedro (Flamengo)
  Raphinha (Barcelona)
  Rayan (Bournemouth)
  Samuel Lino (Flamengo)
  Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Fixtures

• Game One – Townsville – Friday 25 September, 8pm AEST
• Game Two – Brisbane – Tuesday 29 September, 8pm AEST