Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has made several bombshell selection calls as the starting XI was revealed for Australia’s World Cup opener against Turkiye at 2pm (AEST).
Regular skipper Mat Ryan, veteran midfielder Jackson Irvine, teenage centre back Lucas Herrington, who yesterday was linked with Barcelona, and last-minute addition Cristian Volpato have remarkably all been benched.
UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Cameron Burgess and Connor Metcalfe will start in their place as Popovic seemingly tries to throw a curve ball at the Turkish team with his selections.
Beach played last week’s friendly against Switzerland and this will be just his third international cap, Okon-Engstler is highly touted within the Socceroos camp, while Burgess and Metcalfe have been preferred as more experienced options.
Towering defender Harry Souttar will don the captain’s armband in Ryan’s absence with the decision to ditch the Levante shot stopper in his fourth World Cup arguably the biggest Australian goalkeeping call since Guus Hiddink benched Mark Schwarzer for Zeljko Kalac against Croatia 20 years ago.
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Turkiye scores, updates and more
SOCCEROOS XI: Patrick Beach (gk), Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar (c), Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Connor Metcalfe, Mohamed Toure, Nestory Irankunda
Substitutes: Mat Ryan (gk), Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Mathew Leckie, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, Paul Izzo (gk), Cameron Devlin, Kai Trewin, Aziz Behich, Cristian Volpato, Jackson Irvine, Nishan Velupillay, Lucas Herrington, Tete Yengi
FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES
LIVE BLOG
Read on for the latest news ahead of kick-off and follow along for live updates during the game!
The omission of 18-year-old Herrington was less of a surprise as Cameron Burgess set up Australia’s goal in the second half against Switzerland and provides another seasoned head in the Socceroos’ back three.
But after reports emerged on Saturday that Herrington was attracting interest from Barcelona, many thought the teenager, who only moved to the MLS from the Brisbane Roar in January, may have held his place after starting in four matches since debuting in the March international window.
Volpato not starting was another decision that was less surprising as the freshly committed Socceroo loomed as a likely substitute on the wing.
But thousands of Australians were scratching their heads over the calls on Ryan and Irvine.
MORE FROM SUNDAY
‘IT’S A DICTATORSHIP’: Great fumes over replay controversy; five-time champs’ shaky start
‘FOOTBALL IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE’: Legendary manager Jurgen Klopp rages at ‘Super Bowl moment’
Ryan was out of favour roughly a year ago as his club future was up in the air.
He had roared his way back into a fourth World Cup, however, by helping Levante avoid relegation in Serie A and reclaiming the captain’s armband for the country.
Patrick Beach clearly caught the eye of Popovic, and he was impressed with what the Melbourne City shot stopper produced against Switzerland.
That appearance was widely regarded as simply a part of squad rotation ahead of the tournament.
It was actually an audition for the 22-year-old, who had played only twice for the Socceroos before taking on Türkiye.
Irvine’s absence in his third World Cup was also harsh, but Popovic’s comments after recent matches line up with the decision.
The manager lamented his side for being too negative on the ball and youngster Paul Okon-Engstler has received big wraps within the camp for his attacking nature in the middle of the park.
It is a decision that Popovic will hope can snap the Socceroos’ trend to start slowly and hit their straps in the second half.
TURKIYE CAPTAIN SAYS HIS TEAM IS ‘MORE TALENTED’ AND WILL ‘DOMINATE’ SOCCEROOS
The Socceroos have been given bulletin board material ahead of their World Cup opener.
Turkiye captain Hakan Calhanoglu made it clear he is expecting to win and win well on Sunday when they open their World Cup campaign against Australia, declaring his team is “more talented”.
“Of course, our coach analysed them with us together,” Calhanoglu said.
“So we know that they’re a physical team, that they’re good at the corner kicks and on the free kicks because they are tall and strong.
“But I think that we dominate tomorrow, the game, because we have more qualities and a more talented team, so we will see tomorrow what happens.”
Turkiye have been widely tipped to top Group D and make it through to the knockout stages in what is their first World Cup appearance since 2002.
Turkiye has not qualified for the past five World Cups, while Australia has qualified for the past six.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic wasn’t giving the comments too much thought when asked about them.
“I respect his comment, and he has a right to be asked a question, and he has a right to answer it any way he likes,” Popovic said.
“They expect to win, but so do most people. They expect Turkiye here to beat Australia tomorrow, so that’s no different.
“So all we can do is try and spoil the party.”