Socceroos Squad Announced for Brazil Friendlies

Tony Popovic promised change. He’s delivered a shake-up.

The Socceroos boss has named a bold 26-man squad to face Brazil in friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month, with seven uncapped players called in and several World Cup stalwarts cut loose.

Sixteen members of the group that reached the knockout rounds at this year’s World Cup survive, including headline acts Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati – all fresh from big European moves on the back of their performances in Canada and the USA.

The message is clear: the World Cup glow is over. The next cycle starts now.

Ryan axed as new era takes shape

The biggest casualty is Mat Ryan. Dropped from the starting XI during the World Cup, the four-time tournament veteran has now been omitted entirely, 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 told reporters in Brisbane on Friday. “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.”

Ryan isn’t alone. Fellow four-time World Cupper Mat Leckie also misses out, as do depth options Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.

Injury has hit too. Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, all part of the World Cup campaign, are sidelined and unavailable.

New blood for Brazil test

Into that vacuum steps a wave of youth.

Uncapped defender Kasey Bos, younger brother of Jordy, and teenage centre-back Dylan Leonard – on loan at Alemannia Aachen from Schalke – return to the national setup after previous camp involvement and now get their shot in a match squad.

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

Forward Eli Adams, who swapped the Newcastle Jets for Gamba Osaka, and Queen’s Park Rangers right-back Kealey Adamson headline the rookie class as eye-catching prospects. On the wings, Yaya Dukuly of Celje and Brøndby’s Marcus Younis offer fresh pace and depth.

In goal, St Mirren’s Jacob Chapman steps into Ryan’s spot, joining Patrick Beach and Paul Izzo in a re-shaped keeping unit.

There is experience returning as well. Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are back after missing the World Cup through injury, while Alex Robertson is rewarded for his strong form with Cardiff City.

Popovic targets Brazil and beyond

Popovic has been open about the twin aims of these games: survive Brazil, and build for the AFC Asian Cup 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.

“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 games. Four halves of football. Not much margin for error.

The squads in full

SOCCEROOS SQUAD

• 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 (Middlesborough)
• Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli)
• Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC)
• Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Koln)
• 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 (Brondby IF)

BRAZIL SQUAD

• 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

Brazil bring star power and pedigree. Australia bring a new generation and a coach willing to make hard calls.

In four nights of football, Popovic will learn just how ready this revamped Socceroos side really is.