Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid from Liverpool at season’s end is a done deal, according to multiple reports from the United Kingdom and Spain.
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The defender has been tipped to trade Anfield for the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the end of his contract for some time, and it has been reported that the Spanish giants have secured the 26-year-old with a five-year offer worth more than £220,000 a week.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side view the England international as the long-term successor to 33-year-old Dani Carvajal, who is out with an ACL injury sustained in October, and he would join the likes of top English players David Beckham, Steve McManaman, who backed Alexander-Arnold to “be a superstar” in Madrid, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate to represent Los Blancos.
Alexander-Arnold has been free to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January, and his impending move to Real would also reunite him with his friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham.
Real made an approach to Liverpool on New Year’s Eve to try sign Alexander-Arnold during the January transfer window, but the Premier League champions in waiting declined to cash the right-back in for reportedly around £20 million to boost their chances of a league crown.
That move was vindicated as Arne Slot’s side sits 12 points clear atop of the table with nine matches remaining, but will leave them without any profit on Alexander-Arnold as he can join Real for free like French superstar Kylian Mbappe did last year from PSG.
Alexander-Arnold is sidelined at present after injuring his ankle during the Reds’ Champions League exit at the hands of PSG and missing the League Cup final loss to Newcastle as a result.
He is tipped to return next month, in time for the crowning few weeks of the Premier League campaign and what is set to be a fitting farewell to his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold made his first team debut as an 18-year-old in 2016 after joining Liverpool’s academy as a six-year-old.
Many Reds fans on social media have been outraged however, calling for him to not be selected for the remainder of the season
Under esteemed manager Jurgen Kloop, Alexander-Arnold won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
He is also one of three key Liverpool players out of contract at season’s end, with the futures of golden boot leader Mohamed Salah and star defender Virgil van Dijk still unclear.
Liverpool have declined to comment on the reports.
Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran, handing organisers a likely diplomatic headache.
Iran, the second-highest ranked AFC side in the FIFA standings, needed only a point to join Japan in qualifying for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran will, however, head to North America with relations strained as US President Donald Trump takes a hard line over opening new nuclear talks with Tehran.
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The Group A leaders were made to work hard at the Azadi Stadium by upward-trending Uzbekistan, with Mehdi Taremi scoring seven minutes from time – his second of the match – to seal the point.
“We have to thank the fans who filled the stadium today, and thank God they did not leave empty-handed,” said Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Seeking to qualify for a first World Cup, Uzbekistan opened the scoring on 16 minutes through Khojimat Erkinov, before Inter Milan striker Taremi scored his first of the night shortly after half time.
Parity lasted only one minute, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev restoring Uzbekistan’s lead.
Again, Taremi was the man to pull his team back into the game and ultimately book a spot in North America, when he finished past goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov late on.
Iran will be appearing at a fourth successive World Cup and seventh in all. Taremi expressed his “happiness” with the result but admitted his team had “tactical problems” after conceding twice.
Uzbekistan remain on course for an inaugural appearance at the finals. Sitting second on 17 points, they require a win from the concluding double-header in June either away to third-placed UAE or at home to Qatar, in fourth.
The UAE climbed to four points behind Uzbekistan following their 2-1 victory in injury time against North Korea in Riyadh, with Qatar three points further back after their 3-1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek.
The top two go straight to the World Cup, with teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups entering a further round of qualifying.
Iran’s players celebrate after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and Uzbekistan, on March 25, 2025 in Tehran. (Photo by AFP)Source: AFPIran’s players celebrate after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and Uzbekistan, on March 25, 2025 in Tehran. (Photo by AFP)Source: AFP
Earlier on Tuesday, the Socceroos beat China 2-0 to boost their chances of automatic qualification, but Saudi Arabia stayed in touch in Group C with a goalless draw in Japan.
Australia’s victory, courtesy of first-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay, left the Socceroos second in Group C on 13 points with two to play, three points ahead of Saudi Arabia with a much better goal difference. Japan are already sure to finish top.
Australia host Japan and travel to Saudi Arabia for their final qualifiers in June, leaving the race for the second direct qualification place on a knife edge. China stay bottom on six points, but they can progress to a further qualifying stage by finishing third or fourth.
Indonesia moved into fourth on nine points thanks to a 1-0 win over Bahrain. Oxford United forward Ole Romeny scored his second goal in as many games to give Netherlands and Barcelona great Patrick Kluivert his first victory since becoming manager.
In Group B, Son Heung-min’s South Korea remain top and favourites to progress, but they put in another toothless performance as they were held at home for the second match in a row – this time 1-1 by Jordan.
Iraq could have gained ground but conceded late twice to lose 2-1 to Palestine in Amman.
One-nil down from the 34th minute, Palestine equalised two minutes from time before grabbing a winner in the 97th minute, for their first victory of the third round.
Iraq stay third and one point behind second-placed Jordan, who are three off the summit.
Leaders South Korea face a tricky trip to Basra in June before a final home clash against Kuwait.
Oman are fourth on 10 points following their 1-0 win against Kuwait in Ardhiyah, with Palestine fifth and Kuwait rooted to the bottom.
TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP SO FAR
The biggest moment of the Socceroos 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has arrived.
Weren’t we there five days ago? Yep, all of Australia’s remaining three games in the third round are likely to be played with an all-or-nothing undercurrent.
Next up, China in Hangzhou tonight (10pm AEDT kick off) and once again it is must win.
PROJECTING CALM WHILE THE STAKES ARE HIGH
Milos Degenek made his first appearance for the Socceroos in 528 days last week when he was sent on as a second half substitute against Indonesia in Sydney.
The versatile defender, now with 46 caps to his name, is tailor made to handle the eve of a match like the one that looms against China.
Usually, a player guaranteed to feature in the game would accompany coach Tony Popovic to the final press conference. Degenek might just be in line for cap number 47 given his presence in-front of a packed media room or maybe he was sent to handle questions about pressure like Roger Federer used to hit a cross-court backhand or Ricky Ponting a pull shot.
Those who have followed Degenek’s journey in life and football would’ve known what was coming when he was asked about the magnitude of the game. His perspective is shaped by the testing route his family took to even get to Australia in the first place from Croatia. The 30-year-old has told stories of a childhood spent dodging bombs in underground bunkers.
“I think there’s no pressure. Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family; that’s pressure. This is just joy and love,” said Degenek.
“The fact that we do this, we’re very grateful and we’re very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.”
Mitchell Duke of the Socceroos heads the ball against Saudi Arabia.Source: Getty Images
FITNESS OF THE SQUAD
Popovic has 25 fit and healthy players to choose from.
Strikers Adam Taggart (groin) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) were left behind in Sydney and they’ve since returned to the Perth Glory and Portsmouth in England respectively.
Mitch Duke was recalled to the squad at short notice after initially missing selection due to a lack of game time and goals at Japanese side Machida Zelvia, while Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello was sent on when Taggart was substituted at half-time against Indonesia.
Popovic was giving little away when asked about the make-up of his strike force.
“Mitch has come in. He’s looking good, he looks sharp and well. He’s very accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what’s required so he’s fitted in easily,” he said.
“We have options for [tonight] in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.”
SET PIECE PSYCHOLOGY
The Socceroos scored two goals from corners against Indonesia and in the psychology stakes, defender Cameron Burgess believes that could help Australia before a ball has even been kicked in Hangzhou.
Australian players had been used to running around the region and using their size and strength to dominate set pieces. The Socceroos scored four set piece goals from six games in the second round of World Cup qualifying. One came in each of the first four outings.
It has led to a quirk where injured centre back Harry Souttar has the equal fourth most goals of any Socceroo that is still playing professionally. Only Mathew Leckie (14), Jackson Irvine (13) and Mitch Duke (12) have more. The defender is level on 11-goals with Jamie Maclaren. But Australia had only scored one goal from a set piece from its last eight World Cup qualifiers prior to kick off against Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Lewis Miller and Irvine both nodding home from corners signalled that a key weapon in the side’s arsenal was firing again.
“If you look across world football, set pieces play a massive part in the game,” said Burgess.
“They’re a huge weapon and we see it as such, and then you have the psychological factor where, if you’re scoring goals from set-pieces, you’re going up with that extra little thing in the back of your mind that we can score off this and then the opposition feel the same way.”
The 1.94m Burgess, who plays for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, hopes China was paying attention to the rout of Indonesia and the way Australia cashed in on corners.
“They’re obviously going to be worried about that I guess and that’s just human nature, that’s the psychological factors in how the game of football works. They’re huge weapons for us and we’ve always seen it that way and that’s something we definitely work on.”
Craig Goodwin and Cameron Burgess of Australia celebrate a goal by teammate Lewis Miller against Indonesia.Source: Getty Images
WHAT WILL CHINA BRING TO THE TABLE?
The last time Australia played China was Popovic’s first match in charge. The new era got off to a shaky start with China scoring first at Adelaide Oval in October. That’s one of just six goals China has scored in seven games as the Socceroos recovered to win 3-1.
Burgess believes Australia will have to ride out an early onslaught.
“They came out firing and obviously got the goal as well. They’re a pretty direct team and look to do things quickly,” he said.
“We’re expecting a fast start. The same as the other night really so we have improvements to make on that and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.”
The other night Burgess is referring to is the 15-minute period where Indonesia put Australia under immense pressure in Sydney; a period where they could easily have been 2-0 down and on the ropes. The fact the Socceroos recovered to win 5-1 showed maturity and character.
While this game could follow a similar pattern – China sit in last place in group C and must win to have any hope of securing an automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup next year – Australia’s quality should see them through if they can take their chances like they did against Indonesia. And they will have their chances. China’s opponents have had an average of 13.71 shots per game during the third round and enjoyed 72% of possession.
“They’re going to be coming out swinging,” said Burgess.
“They’re playing at home in-front of what looks to be a big crowd as well. Under no illusions it is going to be a difficult task for us. We need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”
TIME FOR BURGESS TO LEAD THE BACKLINE
Any side would struggle without the giant presence of Harry Souttar, but as the towering Socceroo rehabilitates a ruptured Achilles tendon, the responsibility for organising the central defensive trio is likely to fall on the broad shoulders of Burgess again.
“I think I put that leadership pressure on myself a little bit anyway,” said Burgess.
“I’ve been doing that for a number of years. I think it comes with age and experience.”
Popovic wasn’t happy with Australia’s backline against Indonesia. He felt they “weren’t great,” on edge and “a little bit sloppy.”
Burgess has struggled for consistent game time at Ipswich this season and while his timing and movement looked a little off initially against Indonesia, he insists he still feels sharp. Burgess’ 11 Premier League appearances have included minutes against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United to name a few. A similar situation faced good mate Souttar last season, who was limited to four games in all competitions at Leicester but enjoyed the continued confidence of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Burgess is hoping the national team can also offer him refuge.
“It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game as would everyone. However, the one upside is how hard we train there,” said Burgess of life at a top flight club.
“You get a real buzz because you’re here to play games. When you do get the chance to play it’s a great feeling. So, coming into camp to try and play minutes and help the team you get that adrenaline buzz.”
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.Source: Getty Images
THE STATE OF PLAY
Australia sits second in group C behind Japan. Three points against China will see them stay there and allow the side to prepare for the final window in June against Japan and Saudi Arabia with confidence.
The Socceroos are on 10 points with Saudi Arabia on nine and the chasing pack of Indonesia, Bahrain and China on six.
The reward for finishing first or second in the group is a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Third and fourth from each of the three groups progress to the fourth round and will be split into two groups of three. The group winners there also automatically qualify for the expanded 48 team tournament.
The runners-up of each of those groups advance to the fifth round for a home and away showdown. The winner advances to an inter confederation play-off for the final spot at USA, Canada and Mexico.
The fourth and fifth rounds are appointments the Socceroos are desperate to avoid.
New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia but lost in-form Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to injury.
The All Whites join already qualified Japan and co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year’s finals thanks to three second-half goals.
But the victory in Auckland in the final of Oceania qualifying came at a cost, with skipper Wood suffering what appeared to be a hip injury.
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New Zealand’s Chris Wood goes down injured during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND / AFP)Source: AFP
Soon after half time at Eden Park, Wood hurt himself swivelling for a shot and required treatment before hobbling off in the 54th minute.
“It’s not great for us losing our captain and our goalscorer. It was a difficult thing for the team but they came through so well,” said New Zealand’s English coach Darren Bazeley.
The hosts looked out of ideas after dominating the first half, but then up popped veteran defender Michael Boxall on 61 minutes to head home from a corner with his first goal for his country.
Five minutes later Wood’s replacement Kosta Barbarouses chipped the ball over advancing New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine.
Substitute Eli Just put gloss on the scoreline from close range with 10 minutes left.
New Caledonia’s unlikely World Cup hopes are not over and they will go into an intercontinental playoff.
Next year’s World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the first time for the team that won the qualifying competition in Oceania.
The region’s top side previously had to go through an intercontinental playoff, with New Zealand falling at the final hurdle to Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru in recent editions.
New Zealand have been to the World Cup twice before, in 1982 and 2010, but are yet to win at the competition in six matches.
“Once the World Cup expanded we expected this of ourselves,” said Boxall. “It’s not about getting there, it’s about what we do when we get there.”
Chris Wood acknowledges the crowd after their victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND / AFP)Source: AFP
Facing a side ranked 152 in the world, 63 places below them, hosts New Zealand immediately went on the front foot.
New Caledonia, a French Pacific territory of about 300,000 people which has never been to the World Cup, twice cleared off the line in quick succession after 20 minutes.
Wood, who is in the form of his life at Forest with 18 goals in the Premier League this season, had a chance in the 32nd minute but Nyikeine saved comfortably.
The 33-year-old Wood then headed over the bar from a corner and at the half-time whistle, with the game unexpectedly level, the New Caledonia players mobbed Nyikeine.
Bazeley had seen enough and made two changes at the break, bringing on winger Just and defender Francis de Vries.
Despite losing talisman Wood, New Zealand’s pressure eventually paid off against a rapidly tiring New Caledonia to put the All Whites into the World Cup.
The Socceroos might’ve finished 5-1 winners against Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney and taken a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America, but coach Tony Popovic made it clear there’s still plenty of room for his side to improve describing the performance as “solid but it wasn’t great.”
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Goals to Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Lewis Miller and a double from Jackson Irvine send Australia to China with three vital points in the bag and full of confidence, but all too aware that its job half done when it comes to jumping the hurdles this international window presented.
The mental resilience the side showed to escape unscathed – albeit with some fortune – from a tricky 15-minute opening period is also a sign of growth as is a welcome surge in the way chances were finally converted into goals. This result bloats Australia’s goal difference column too and that could be one less thing to worry about come the final matchday of round three in June.
It wasn’t all good news though with Martin Boyle and Adam Taggart coming off at halftime. Popovic revealing post-game that both have fitness concerns.
OMINOUS SIGN BEFORE A BALL WAS KICKED
A crowd of 35,241 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium and the Indonesian fans not only made their presence felt but had the decibel reader reaching its upper limits.
The Indonesian national anthem was greeted with full voice by those in red and more than one Socceroos player turned to look at the raucous away end. It did not sound,
look or feel like a Socceroos home game until the goals started flying in.
Remarkably, the Team Garuda faithful were still chanting at 5-1 down in the second half.
“It’s part of football and it’s what we love about it, that teams can come away from home and bring that energy and atmosphere,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.
“I thought our fans were equally brilliant and pushed us in the key moments of the game and gave us that extra leg up probably when we needed it.”
A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES
Perspective is in the eye of what colour jersey you were wearing.
The decision to award Indonesia a penalty in the seventh minute after the Brisbane Roar’s Rafael Struick was ruled to have been fouled by the recalled Kye Rowles was
contentious through an Australians lens, but while it was on the softer side it was the right call.
Kevin Diks dulled the debate by hitting the woodwork. A sprawling Mat Ryan guessed the right way in any case and might’ve saved it.
Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert, in his first match in charge, believed his side struggled to shrug off that setback.
“If you shoot the penalty in it would be a totally different match of course,” Kluivert said.
“From that moment we changed something in our minds.
“We had a grip of the game. I think that we played better than Australia.
“If you score 1-0, I’m sure it will be a totally different game.”
10-minutes later Australia was sent to the spot after Nathan Tjoe-A-On pulled off a tackle on Lewis Miller in the box that looked more like something James Tedesco would execute on this ground in a Roosters jersey. Boyle did the honours from the spot.
The goal helped calm the nerves after the Socceroos were let off the hook just moments prior. The side looked far more settled from that point and Australia led 3-0 at the break thanks to two more goals from Velupillay and Irvine.
“It’s the hardest I’ve been pressed in a home game in a long time,” Irvine said.
“There was absolutely no time on the ball in the middle of the park.
“Once we broke that pressure it looked like we were going to score every time we went through.”
3-0! Socceroos dominant first half surge | 01:31
POPPA PULLS THE RIGHT SELECTION CALLS
This was not an easy squad to pick.
Six regular starters were missing through injury and Popovic had key calls to make when it came to his starting wingers and striker.
As Velupillay wheeled away to celebrate with the fans in the 20th minute he had fellow winger Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart to thank for the opportunity.
Boyle’s pass found Taggart whose lunging effort resulted in Velupillay being able to run onto the ball and calmly slot Australia’s second.
“It’s a special moment for the boy,” Popovic said.
“Starting your first game, pressure, a stadium that’s full. It doesn’t come bigger than that.
“When he looks back, he should be really proud of that.”
This was the first time Boyle had seen minutes under Popovic after failing to get on the pitch in the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 14-goals and 9
assists in 36 games for Hibernian in Scotland made a compelling case for selection.
Velupillay is working his way back into form after a nasty ankle injury suffered against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. To start him in a game of this magnitude was bold. Taggart deserved his spot after five goals in his last 11-games for Perth Glory in the A-League but hadn’t even been picked in a squad by Popovic yet before this window.
For a goal that released the pressure valve in this campaign to be created by two players who’d never featured under this manager and scored by one still not quite at
top form domestically must be applauded.
Unfortunately, Taggart and Boyle were both substituted at half time with potential fitness issues. Taggart appeared to feel for his groin multiple times just before the break. Asked if there was anything amiss with both players Popovic said “there could be.”
“They both had a bit of a niggle, maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle.”
“Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was a bit of a precaution.”
IRVINE GOAL A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Jackson Irvine is the heartbeat of the Socceroos midfield. His goals in the 34th and 90th minutes were the 12th and 13th of his international career and came on the same
ground where he scored his first ever for Australia in 2017.
“From a personal point of view a special night,” he said.
“I never take it for granted being here and I haven’t played in this stadium since that night.”
THE RETURN OF DANIEL ARZANI
Arzani replaced Velupillay in the 72nd minute and was greeted by warm applause. It was his first appearance for Australia since a 26-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier
against Bangladesh in June last year.
His last minutes prior to that came against Kuwait in a friendly match in 2018. That was just before the anterior cruciate ligament tear on debut at Celtic that would change the trajectory of his then skyrocketing career.
It took just two minutes for Popovic to call Arzani to the sideline for a chat after his introduction, but generally he worked hard in defence and looked lively in attack.
All of this after Popovic told Arzani his effort in camp during the October international window last year “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in
training.”
It appears to have been the wake-up call the 26-year-old – once dubbed the next big thing in Australian football – needed.
Five months on from that camp and Arzani has impressed his mentor this time around. Popovic does not give out easy minutes even with Australia 4-0 up at the time.
It was an impressive response from a player who can only enhance the fortunes of himself and his country with similar application.
Socceroos calm ahead of crucial clashes | 01:56
STATE OF THE PITCH
There’d been concerns about the state of the Sydney Football Stadium pitch in the days prior to kick-off and those fears weren’t alleviated once the game got underway.
Several players lost their footing or looked unsure on the ball. It was not ideal and hampered the fluidity of the game.
“Tough pitch for the players,” Popovic said.
“Very hard underneath and slippery on top. The players were in two minds. Half the players wore studs, and half the players had moulds. It was a difficult one for them tonight. It took a lot out of them.”
MAT RYAN BACK TO HIS BEST ON AN HISTORIC NIGHT
Lost in the euphoria of scoring five goals was the three incredible saves Mat Ryan pulled off between the sticks.
On a night where the goalkeeper became the third most capped player in Socceroos history with 97, moving ahead of another former skipper in Lucas Neill and now only
behind Mark Schwarzer with 109 and Tim Cahill on 108 appearances, Ryan was immense.
He stopped Jay Idzes’ header from a freekick in the 5th minute, made a superb diving save to his left in the 53rd minute and another clutch reflex save down low to his right
in the 84th minute.
“I have to say I’m not surprised after seeing him when he came into camp,” Popovic said.
“Just a different demeanour and that comes from playing.
“You can see he’s full of confidence and he showed that when he came in. He was a real presence around the group and tonight he stood tall.”
The fact the captain was dropped to the bench for the first three games of Popovic’s tenure now seems a distant memory. His move to Lens in France from Roma in Italy
has been a masterstroke.
Davidson hoping to re-ignite Roos career | 02:26
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AT THE BACK
Australia’s backline was hardest hit by the current run of injuries between November and March.
Popovic picked Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich.
Geria, Burgess and Rowles formed the central trio of that combination, and the coach made it clear there was plenty to work on. Indonesia’s goal was well taken, but the lead-up was scrappy.
“The goal they scored probably summarised how we defended,” Popovic said.
“They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty, we gave them the goal as well.
“Defensively we weren’t great, we were a little bit on edge, a little bit sloppy in our defending.”
WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS AT WITH PROJECT POPPA AND WHAT’S NEXT?
Project Poppa is progressing, but it’s far from the finished article. That’s not a bad thing, but just the reality of only being in the job for six-months.
“I aim quite high,” Popovic said with a smile when asked how far along the side is when it comes to implementing his game style.
“They’re not where we want to be, but that’s not a negative that’s a positive. They’ve taken strides forward and it’s not easy to do what they did tonight.”
Popovic pointed to decision making as an area that needs work.
“How do we identify quicker what is happening on the field?” he said.
“That will happen with more games together.
“I felt that this camp or this window of the first game is the first time I’ve felt in training and just around the hotel that this group is now starting to build into something.”
Now, it’s off to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday night.
Australia remains second in group C and in control of its own fate when it comes to securing automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has made 10 changes to his squad for two must win World Cup qualifiers this month against Indonesia and China, headlined by the omission of veteran striker Mitch Duke.
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The extended 26-player squad features six uncapped players in Scotland based midfielder Nectarios Triantis, Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague, Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Thomas Glover, fellow shot stopper Paul Izzo and Sydney FC defender Alex Grant. It’s the first time Triantis, Teague, Grant and Trewin have earned a senior national team call-up.
Popovic has also turned to two players, Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic, who haven’t been a part of the Socceroos’ set-up for some time. Davidson, a 33-year-old left back who plays for Panserraikos F.C in the Greek Super League, hasn’t featured for Australia since a friendly against Jordan in 2022. Before that, the 2015 Asian Cup winner’s last appearance was in a World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in November that year. Karacic’s last involvement for the Socceroos was during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The right back, who now calls NK Lokomotiva in Croatia home, was part of the squad for all four games and featured in the group stage win against Tunisia and the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16.
A raft of injuries to first choice players made picking this squad a tricky task. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci (hip), defenders Hayden Matthews (ankle), Harry Souttar (achilles), and Jordy Bos (hamstring) are all missing while Riley McGree (knock) continues to struggle with his fitness at Middlesbrough. Alessandro Circati is also a long-term absentee as the 21-year-old Parama defender continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. The only two bits of good news from the frequent medical reports came in the form of striker Kusini Yengi returning to action for Portsmouth in the Championship three weeks ago after the 26-year-old hurt his knee in the Socceroos last match against Bahrain in late November while giant defender Cameron Burgess has seemingly shrugged off a calf complaint suffered in Ipswich Town’s fifth round FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest on March 4.
Mitchell Duke celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match between Tunisia and Australia.Source: AFP
The rest of the squad is a mix of potential, young stars ready for their chance and one veteran who probably thought his time had passed.
Melbourne Victory’s Daniel Arzani gets another chance to impress after Popovic blasted the talented winger during an interview with reporters in January. The coach said Arzani “wasn’t good enough” when he came into camp in October last year and that his “level was really poor in training.” Arzani, once dubbed “the next big thing” in Australian football, missed selection for the November window and has been left in no doubt as to what Popovic wants to see from him. Marco Tilio’s impressive comeback for Melbourne City from a two-and-a-half-month stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury has also caught Popovic’s eye. Those two will be fighting to fill the inverted winger role with Ajdin Hrustic not selected. Hrustic has played just 16-minutes for Italian second division side US Salernitana in 2025.
Triantis made himself almost impossible to ignore after a stunning run of form for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League where he has featured as a ball-winning midfielder. Melbourne Victory’s Ryan Teague adds depth to the fight for that deeper lying role in the centre of the park. Speculation had recently linked him to the Chinese national team if his exploits had seen him overlooked for Australia again.
Triantis and Teague were picked over Max Balard and Patrick Yazbek. Balard has been a regular starter for NAC Breda in the Dutch top flight and was called into the Socceroos squad for the November window, but didn’t get on the field.
Defender Alex Grant gets his reward for a solid run of games with Sydney FC since signing a short-term deal with the Sky Blues in February. Grant is hugely experienced and has an Asian Champions League final appearance and a Korean Cup winners medal on his resume from his time with Pohang Steelers. At 6 foot 3 inches, the 31-year-old goes some way to filling the giant voids left by the injured Souttar and Matthews.
“It was a whirlwind start to the beginning of my tenure with the national team, and since November we’ve had the chance to review and assess all facets of our program ahead of these Qualifiers,” Popovic said.
“We understand the importance of these upcoming games and are excited by the opportunity to further cement our position in the group’s automatic qualifying positions.”
Australian coach Tony Popovic.Source: News Corp Australia
The biggest surprise is Duke missing selection. The striker has been a regular in green and gold since late 2019, but despite a huge work rate without the ball, hasn’t found the back of the net with the type of regularity the Socceroos have needed to smooth their path at or on the road to, major tournaments. Duke has found the back of the net just four times in 24-games at international level since the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 34-year-old has also played 45-minutes for J-League side Machida Zelvia this season. Goals will now need to come from the boots of Yengi, Adam Taggart and Brandon Borrello.
There also wasn’t room for Nestory Irankunda once again despite the 19-year-old being named the Swiss Super League’s Player of the Month for February after his move from Bayern Munich to Grasshoppers.
The games against Indonesia on Thursday in Sydney and China in Hangzhou on Tuesday shape as crucial to Australia’s hopes of sealing direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. The Socceroos currently sit in second spot in Group C with four games left in the third round. If they stay there, they’ll earn an automatic berth to the game’s global showpiece. It makes two wins from these next two fixtures vital with Japan at home and Saudi Arabia away to come in June. Just one-point separates second placed Australia from last placed China.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the players and getting the squad together on the pitch in preparation for what will be a great occasion at the Sydney Football Stadium,” Popovic added.
Extended 26 player Socceroos squad:
Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Thomas Glover (GK), Craig Goodwin, Alex Grant, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo (GK), Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (GK), Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi
The Australians were flawless from the spot, and Saudi Arabia were too through four attempts, before Hall dived to his right and stretched his left arm high into the air to pull off a save that immediately entered the nation’s footballing folklore.
Making the moment even more special was that it acted as a tribute to his late grandfather, who passed away earlier in the tournament.
After making the all-important save, Hall got up and made a beeline towards the camera to kiss the words written on his glove ‘for you grandad’.
The incredibly touching moment might also launch Hall’s career to another level.
In January 2024, Premier League club Brighton snapped up the youngster from Adelaide United for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract, following in the footsteps of Socceroos captain Mat Ryan, who was the Seagulls’ first choice goalkeeper from 2017 to 2020.
Hall has not be called up to the senior squad, but has been a part of Brighton’s U21 team during his time on England’s south coast so far and quickly endeared himself to the fans courtesy of filthy moustache and mullet combination.
He has made just two appearances, starting in both, this season after also making two starts last campaign.
Keen observers of Australian football will remember Hall for his history-making moment in the A-League.
On New Year’s Day 2022, Hall became the youngest goalkeeper to make their A-League debut when he replaced the injured James Delianov 31 minutes into Adelaide United’s 4-0 victory against Wellington Phoenix.
Hall was just 16 years and 350 days old when he stepped onto the pitch at Hindmarsh Stadium.
He made another three appearances for the Reds in the premier Australian competition before departing for England.
But he did not go unnoticed with Schwarzer saying on Optus Sport back in 2022, that Hall has “a big future”.
“I’ve got a player for you that I’ve seen quite a few highlights of and what I’ve seen of him, I’m very impressed and I think the kid’s got a big future,” Schwarzer said.
“Steven Hall, a goalkeeper at Adelaide United. He’s played three games, he came on – I think he was the fourth goalkeeper. I’ve liked everything about him.
“He’s 17-year-old, made his debut at 16. He looks calm, he look assuring, he looked commanding in his own 18-yard box. There’s quite a few saves I’ve seen him make and he made them look easy.”
It is in national colours where he has truly proven to be a star on the rise, however.
Hall has also featured for the Olyroos, Australia’s men’s U23 team, and in recent weeks in China, he has shown why he is highly touted within Australian ranks.
The heroic moment may never have happened if not for two less celebrated, but crucial saves during the quarter-final win against Iraq.
The Young Socceroos came from behind twice to prevail 3-2 and book their place in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile by advancing to the semi-finals, but the script could have easily been different if not for Hall’s excellence.
He pulled off two vital stops in the second half to deny Iraq and send Australia on the road to the title with a clean sheet in their 2-0 semi-final win against Japan following.
The 20-year-old, who was allowed to play in the U20 Asian Cup because players born on 1 January 2005 or later are eligible, and he turned 20 on January 16, is almost certain to be a key figure in Australia’s U20 World Cup campaign in September and October.
If Hall can continue to hold his nerves in the big moments, who knows where his career might take him and if Schwarzer is right, Australia might just have its next star goalkeeper.
The Young Socceroos are champions of Asia for the first time with a thrilling penalty shootout victory against Saudi Arabia in the U20 Asian Cup final in Shenzhen, China.
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Goalkeeper Steven Hall became the nation’s newest footballing hero, etching himself into folklore by pulling off a one-handed save on the final penalty of the shootout to secure the title.
The scores were locked at one-all after the regulation 90 minutes, and they remained the same after 30 minutes of extra time.
Louis Agosti, who came into the starting line-up as one of three changes made by manager Trevor Morgan, was Australia’s lone goal scorer with a superb volley to open the scoring in the 24th minute.
The Saudi defenders failed to properly clear an Australian free kick that was whipped into the penalty area, and the ball fell to Agosti outside of the box, who struck a low volley across the goal and into the far corner of the net.
Scores were level heading into half time however as a Talal Abubakr Haji header beat Hall.
But Australia were the better of the two teams in the second half, and an extra time, put did not capitalise on several opportunities and were perhaps a little unlucky for the referee not pointing to the spot when substitute Tiago Quintal was brought down in the box.
When it got to the shootout, the Australian teenagers showed nerves of a steel to convert a perfect five from five.
Saudi Arabia were flawless on their first four attempts too, but Hall, who is on the books at Premier League club Brighton, heroically denied them.
Australia’s Alex Badolato was awarded player of the tournament for a stellar campaign where the Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder scored twice and provided three assists.
Badolato was one of 16 players in the squad of 23 for the tournament who are with A-League clubs, while the other seven play their club football in Europe or England.
The Young Socceroos will now turn their focus towards the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile in September and October, which they qualified for by making the semi-finals of the U20 Asian Cup and it will be the first time Australia has taken part in the premier global tournament for male teenagers since 2013.
Not content with merely qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 12 years, the Young Socceroos have booked their place in the U20 Asian Cup final for the first time in 15 years.
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The Australians picked up a 2-0 semi-final win against rivals Japan in Shenzhen, China with second half goals from Musa Toure and substitute Jaylan Pearman setting up a date with Saudi Arabia in Saturday’s final.
The Young Socceroos last made the final of the Asian Cup in 2010, when the tournament was last held in China, and Trevor Morgan’s side will be eager to go one better than the crop of teenagers from 15 years ago who fell 3-2 to North Korea at the final hurdle.
Australia has won all five of their matches to reach the final with a clean sweep of their group followed by a come from behind 3-2 quarter-final triumph against Iraq to book their World Cup berth in Chile in September and October this year, as well as the Japan victory.
Morgan’s team managed to turn the table on the Japanese after doing down 2-1 to them in a friendly earlier this month.
It was a lacklustre first half with neither side registering a shot on target, but Toure, the younger brother of Socceroo Mohamed Toure, provided a regular spark.
He scored the opener four minutes after the break as he slotted home Jonny Yull’s superb low cross.
Pearman put the game to bed shortly, only four minutes after he had come onto the pitch as a substitute, with a beautiful, curling finish from outside the box.
It was set up by Toure pouncing on a loose pass and dishing the ball off to Alex Badolato, the hero from the quarter-final.
Late in the game, Japan threatened several times but Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall, who is with English Premier League outfit Brighton, held firm to keep a clean sheet.
Their opponents in the final, Saudi Arabia, advanced via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw with South Korea.
The Young Socceroos after off to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile in September and October this year, breaking a 12-year drought.
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The Australian teenagers booked their place in the global showpiece tournament for the first time since 2013 with a thrilling 3-2 win in their quarter-final against Iraq at the U20 Asian Cup in China.
Victory put Australia through to the semi-finals, where they will face either Japan or Iran on Wednesday as Australia came from behind twice with several young stars putting their names up in lights.
Melbourne Victory’s Alex Badolato was the match-winner in Shenzhen with a superb 75th minute volley proving to be the deciding goal.
A headed clearance fell to Badolato just outside the box and he hit a stunning strike into the back of the net to produce one of the great winning goals.
Iraq struck first after 15 minutes, but roughly seven minutes later, Australia levelled through Adelaide United’s Luka Jovanovic’s excellent free kick from long range beating the Iraqi wall and goalkeeper.
Iraq led again four minutes later, but shortly after the half an hour mark scores were level again in a wild first half.
The Iraqi defence failed to clear Paul Okon-Englster’s cross and central defender Panagiotis Kikianis curled home a nice right foot finish among the scramble in the penalty area.
“Obviously super proud for the boys. It’s a life goal to get to a World Cup,” manager Trevor Morgan said.
“They had to do so with some adversity, which makes it even more enjoyable. They had to show that fighting spirit and produced the goods.”
Earlier in the tournament, the Young Socceroos topped their group with three wins from three games against China, Qatar and the Kyrgyz Republic.
