<\/p>\n
Nestory Irankunda breaking out a rhinestone glove and performing a crotch-grabbing Michael Jackson tribute after scoring for the Socceroos was the perfect celebratory note for the team\u2019s final match on home soil before the World Cup, but now the tension ramps up for players and coach Tony Popovic ahead of the finals.<\/p>\n
Having swept aside fellow finalists Curacao 5-1 in Melbourne<\/a>, the Socceroos face one more assignment, against Mexico on May 31, before Popovic must cull his squad to 26 players two days later.<\/p>\n Players desperate to make a final push to convince \u2018Popa\u2019 they belong at the finals \u2014 starting for Australia against T\u00fcrkiye on June 14 \u2014 will also get the chance to impress at an extended squad camp in Florida leading into the Mexico clash.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you finished in early May and you\u2019re on the fringes, it\u2019s an opportunity for us to see you and train you for two weeks. And in football, things can change very quickly. That player may go from not having an opportunity to make the World Cup to actually being in the squad,\u201d said Popovic.<\/p>\n Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n After a dour first half in Melbourne on Tuesday night, Popovic released the shackles on 66 minutes, introducing Irankunda and Jordy Bos. Both got on the scoresheet, as did Alessandro Circati, three breakout stars of his tenure making a massive impact.<\/p>\n At a time when the Socceroos\u2019 public standing seems to have slipped slightly, with claims they are boring and lack star quality, Irankunda\u2019s big leap forward is a massive boost for those responsible for selling the national team to the Australian public.<\/p>\n His box office backflips have put a significant spring in the step of the Socceroos, often lamented as too defensive and dull under Popovic, who is coaxing the best out of the 20-year-old Watford livewire.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a young man who\u2019s just growing in maturity, not just on the field, but I think off the field,\u201d Popovic said of a player who has had several behavioural issues.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you can see … when his mind is clear, he wants to contribute, whether that\u2019s a start, whether it\u2019s coming on, whether that\u2019s coming on for one minute.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s progression, because maybe in October, November, his mind wasn\u2019t so clear. It\u2019s normal. He\u2019s young, he\u2019s 20 years old. He\u2019s a wonderful talent.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s also a wonderful personality.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a huge MJ fan,\u201d Irankunda laughed after his dance.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously you always want to back yourself to score. Me and my boy talked about it and he just threw it and I had to catch it, threw it on and did the celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n Irankunda\u2019s place in the final 26 should be assured, but there are several places that are wide open.<\/p>\n Turkiye set up WC clash with Socceroos | 01:15<\/p>\n None of the World Cup hopefuls can say they haven\u2019t been given a chance by Popovic. In 16 matches he\u2019s introduced 15 newcomers to the team, and given fresh hope to others, such as Awer Mabil, who started for the first time since 2023 against Curacao and rewarded his boss with the opening goal on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Popovic will keep a close eye on the form and fitness of his possibles and probables as they return to club football before meeting up at the end of their domestic seasons for a tough clash with the World Cup co-host.<\/p>\n His simple message post-game was \u201cstay healthy. That\u2019s what we want. We know this period is very busy, especially in Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of the boys will go back and play two games over this weekend, so it\u2019s a tough schedule. They\u2019ve got a big carrot, the World Cup. I know they\u2019re excited, they\u2019ve loved the camp.\u201d<\/p>\n And while he will have a core locked in, fitness pending, there are still some spots up for grabs, and plenty of potential hard luck yarns.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always a story of somebody missing out, somebody who\u2019s been involved for a long time,\u201d said former Socceroos defender Sasa Ognenovski on the Paramount Plus coverage on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cHarry Souttar, is he back playing football week in, week out? He might be the unlucky one. He helped us get there, but sometimes there are those sad stories.\u201d<\/p>\n PREDICTED SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR 2026 WORLD CUP – AS THINGS STAND<\/b><\/p>\n Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Skipper Mat Ryan <\/b>remains the undisputed No.1, backed by strong La Liga form with Levante where his shot-stopping numbers rank highly. Joe Gauci <\/b>has forced his way into the team at Port Vale, and after playing in a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal recently, he is expected to line up in a mouth-watering FA Cup quarterfinal against Chelsea on Sunday. The third spot is a coin flip between Paul Izzo<\/b> and Patrick Beach<\/b>, both of whom backed up Ryan in the games against Curacao and Cameroon.<\/p>\n Defenders: Jordy Bos, Aziz Behich, Alessandro Circati, Cameron Burgess, Kai Trewin, Kye Rowles, Milo\u0161 Degenek, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Jordy Bos <\/b>has cemented himself as first-choice left-back and he\u2019s a proven goal threat, coming up with the goods again with the winner against Cameroon. Aziz Behich <\/b>provides experienced cover.<\/p>\n On the right, the exciting youngster Jacob Italiano <\/b>shapes as a likely wing-back inclusion, especially with Fran Karacic <\/b>seemingly locked in a never-ending battle with injury and Lewis Miller<\/b> having suffered an Achilles injury that has ruled him out of the finals.<\/p>\n Alessandro Circati <\/b>and Cameron Burgess <\/b>anchor the defence, with depth coming from Kye Rowles<\/b>, Milo\u0161 Degenek <\/b>and emerging options like Kai Trewin<\/b>, who has impressed in the MLS, and Lucas Herrington<\/b>.<\/p>\n The fitness of Harry Souttar <\/b>looms as the key variable. He\u2019s yet to play this season due to injury and is running out of time, although you wouldn\u2019t be shocked to see Popovic give him every chance of getting his big frame out on the park.<\/p>\n Herrington<\/b> has provided food for thought, with his sparkling debut against Cameroon, although he received a quick lesson on the big time from Curacao\u2019s former Aston Villa man Leandro Bacuna on Tuesday.<\/p>\n READ MORE FOOTBALL<\/b><\/p>\n ARNIE: Tears to \u2018football god\u2019: Wild ride of Aussie Poms didn\u2019t want… and why they\u2019re finally paying respect<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n GROUPS: Socceroos\u2019 full World Cup group confirmed as Aussie holdout dealt brutal reality check<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n <\/b>CUP DRAMA: Italy in \u2018worst nightmare\u2019 repeat, Arnie leads World Cup miracle as Socceroos\u2019 group of death locked<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Central midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Patrick Yazbek, Aiden O\u2019Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Alex Robertson, Ajdin Hrusti\u0107<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Jackson Irvine<\/b>, who has just returned after injury but was rested from this window, and Aiden O\u2019Neill<\/b> form the experienced core, with Ajdin Hrusti\u0107 <\/b>bringing creativity in advanced areas and also an option out wide. Patrick Yazbek<\/b>, Max Balard <\/b>(left out of this series) and Paul Okon-Engstler<\/b> are pushing for inclusion, while Alex Robertson <\/b>adds technical quality and has added goals for Cardiff in League One this season. Roles remain fluid and the competition is intense for the final midfield spots.<\/p>\n Forwards\/wingers: Riley McGree, Nestory Irankunda, Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle, Deni Juric, Mo Toure, Mitchell Duke.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Popovic has options in attack, but are any of them good enough to fire Australia into the second stage of the tournament?<\/p>\n There could be a lot riding on the young shoulders of Irankunda<\/b>, who has demonstrated growth in his game over the past year.<\/p>\n Popovic has urged Irankunda, whose long-range free-kick bombs for Watford have lit up social media, to get closer to goal before unleashing his powerful shot, and the player delivered twice against Curacao.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had conversations in the last few months. He\u2019s just trying to help me become a better player. As you can see tonight as well, he\u2019s helped me during the week to get in positions like that to score more goals,\u201d said Irankunda.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to score more goals, just build and become a better player, because it\u2019s such a short period of time until it\u2019s time for the World Cup. I want to be in the best shape to go and compete for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Irankunda\u2019s mentor, Awer Mabil<\/b>, was another positive from the 5-1 thrashing, scoring the opener after a long absence.<\/p>\n Mabil might just have done enough to force his way into the World Cup squad, and Popovic shared a quick word with him on the pitch at full-time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just spoke a little bit about the game and he just encouraged me to keep going, keep working hard. When I get back to my club, keep pushing and yeah, we\u2019ll see,\u201d said Mabil.<\/p>\n \u201cThis, I told him, is a big motivation for me to be here and I will go back and I will work double, so it was really nice to hear.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just energy, everything is energy and what I\u2019ve taken from this camp is positivity and a target now, something to work towards, so I\u2019m very happy to be here and I\u2019ve got a lot of energy to get back to my club.\u201d<\/p>\n Arnold leads Iraq to first WC since 86′ | 01:51<\/p>\n Popovic, who left out Mitchell Duke <\/b>from the past two games, should be delighted with the arrival of Deni Juric<\/b>, brother of Asian Cup winner Tomi. The striker\u2019s deft backheel nutmeg set up Mabil\u2019s first-half goal and on one occasion he showed superb close control to break open the Curacao defence.<\/p>\n And Popovic will be keen to see how Mo Toure <\/b>responds on his return from a groin injury in Norwich\u2019s Good Friday match against Portsmouth.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old was in stellar form before the setback, netting five times in five matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n