Socceroos coach selects three untested defenders for crucial World Cup qualifying matches

Australian coach Tony Popovic has announced a 26-man squad for this month’s vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China, featuring six uncapped players, including three central defenders.

The Socceroos are under pressure to secure victories against Indonesia in Sydney next Thursday and China in Hangzhou five days later, as they aim for the second automatic qualifying spot from Group C, trailing only the dominant Japan.

With regular centre-backs Harry Souttar and Hayden Matthews ruled out for the entire season due to injuries, Popovic has called upon Kai Trewin, Alex Grant, and Nectarios Triantis.

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is poised to mark his 97th and 98th appearances for the national side, but a hip injury to his usual backup Joe Gauci opens the door for uncapped keepers Paul Izzo and Tom Glover to showcase their talents.

A-League player Ryan Teague joins the ranks of uncapped talents, vying for the holding midfielder position alongside Aiden O’Neill, while Triantis also plays a similar role for his Scottish club Hibernian.

In attack, 31-year-old striker Adam Taggart earns a recall, although there is no place for fellow veteran Mitch Duke or impressive teenager Nestory Irankunda in the squad.

Popovic, who stepped in late last year following a rocky start to the Asian qualifying round under Graham Arnold, acknowledged the critical nature of these upcoming matches in the quest for automatic qualification.

“It has been a whirlwind beginning to my role with the national team, and since November we’ve had the opportunity to evaluate every aspect of our programme in preparation for these qualifiers,” he stated.

“We recognise the significance of these upcoming clashes and are eager to solidify our position within the group for automatic qualification.“

Currently, Australia sits second in Group C, nine points adrift of Japan and just one ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China, with four matches left in the campaign.

Should the Socceroos fall short of securing an automatic spot, they still have a chance to qualify for a sixth consecutive finals through a fourth round of qualifying and intercontinental playoffs.