Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEight young stars might potentially come under the microscope with eye-catching displays while another three have enough talent, and career circumstances that are ideal, to find themselves on the radars of those scouting for talent over the next 24 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really exciting,\u201d said defender Jason Geria at the Australian base camp in Oakland, California.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, these guys are 18 and 20 years old, 21 years old and they\u2019re playing on the biggest stage and they\u2019re excelling in their clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re inspiring not only the younger generation as well but I think the whole of football in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe future of Australian football I think is in really good hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
The present doesn\u2019t look too bad either with coach Tony Popovic not afraid to pit his young stars up against the best in the world. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is part of the process to keep evolving and getting a new generation into the Socceroos,\u201d he said after naming his squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve shown that we\u2019re not afraid to play the youngsters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill they be better in four and eight years? Without a doubt, but that\u2019s not to say they\u2019re not good enough now. If they weren\u2019t I wouldn\u2019t play them and I wouldn\u2019t have them in the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully they can keep growing in their club football, they need to keep playing regularly and they need to get the games.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last part \u2013 game time \u2013 is key to any move.<\/p>\n
EIGHT SOCCEROOS AGED 23 OR UNDER<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER<\/b><\/p>\n
It has been a whirlwind year for Paul Okon-Engstler. The 21-year-old midfielder has just completed his first full season of senior football with Sydney FC after his switch from Benfica where he was part of the Portuguese club\u2019s youth set-up.<\/p>\n
Okon-Engstler, the son of former Socceroo and current national team assistant coach Paul Okon, made his debut for Australia against Venezuela in November last year and has looked right at home since.<\/p>\n
A defensive midfielder, he\u2019s a player who can instantly release his side from pressure situations in their own third. Not only does he have a huge amount of technical capability, but many within the game regard him as possessing one of the best football brains in Australia. There\u2019s also a big engine to compliment all of that. <\/p>\n
His rise from youth football, both at club and international level to this World Cup squad, has been swift \u2013 he\u2019s one of only two members of the Young Socceroos squad that went to the under 20 World Cup in Chile last year, alongside Lucas Herrington, to be picked – but Okon-Engstler has already shown he can handle this level of football. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to reflect in the moment just because so much is happening at the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of growth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Zeki Amdouni of Switzerland competes for the ball against Paul Okon-Engstler of Australia during the international friendly match between Australia and Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Mike Nowak\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHe hasn\u2019t looked out of place against Venezuela, Colombia, Cameroon, Curacao, Mexico and Switzerland so far. Each step has felt like natural progression instead of a giant leap and the environment in camp is also teaching him how to be a senior professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a good mix between experience and youth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe older players, I think, just trying to give as much advice as possible to us young players and us just trying to take that on board, I think is just so important.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust being able to play my first full season professionally as a footballer has just helped me grow so much physically and mentally and I\u2019m just so happy that I\u2019m able to be here, to have the opportunity and at the end of my season to take part in the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Okon-Engstler is initially likely to have a huge role to play off the bench for Australia.<\/p>\n
Sydney FC appear to have a gem on their hands and it won\u2019t be long before someone else notices.<\/p>\n
LUCAS HERRINGTON<\/b><\/p>\n
Lucas Herrington will start the World Cup as the 11th youngest player at the tournament.<\/p>\n
The defender is one of 12 eighteen-year-olds named by their respective nations. Mexico\u2019s Gilberto Mora has the honour of being the youngest player. He\u2019ll be 17 years and 240 days old when the tournament starts with his country facing off against South Africa in Mexico City.<\/p>\n
Herrington, like Okon-Engstler, shows maturity beyond his years.<\/p>\n
His ascension to the top table of the game has been so rapid that he has gone from spending the first two games of the Young Socceroos Under 20 World Cup campaign on the bench, to featuring prominently for the Brisbane Roar and then moving to the MLS in January where he\u2019s become a mainstay of the Colorado Rapids backline. Now, a World Cup debut beckons.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at their line-up, he\u2019s the only centre back that plays in every minute of every game.\u201d Popovic said after unveiling his 26-player squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other two are getting rotated all the time and not him.\u201d<\/p>\n
His first national team call-up came in March and it took one training session for the coach to be convinced of the teenager\u2019s quality.<\/p>\n
He has four caps for Australia and has started all four games.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can be really good,\u201d Popovic said with a huge smile.<\/p>\n
The MLS is a fantastic league for Herrington to grow and develop, but if his progression continues at the same pace, it most likely won\u2019t be long before other options become available.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia\u2019s Jordan Bos (R) celebrates with teammate Riley McGree after scoring a goal during the international friendly football match between Australia and Cameroon at Stadium Australia in Sydney on March 27, 2026. (Photo by SAEED KHAN \/ AFP)<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJORDAN BOS<\/b><\/p>\n
Jordan Bos is widely regarded as one of the best talents Australia has produced since the golden generation of 2006.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s a left back with a devastating turn of speed, huge engine, technical ability and an eye for goal. Are you not entertained?<\/p>\n
Socceroos and Feyenoord fans certainly have been over the last 12 months.<\/p>\n
His first season in Rotterdam after two campaigns in Belgium was nothing short of a success.<\/p>\n
He made 36 appearances for the famous club, contributing four goals and 11 assists. Not bad for a defender.<\/p>\n
Bos has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level possible and while he has the ability to do so, each step needs to be considered carefully.<\/p>\n
The Melbourne City product and the team around him have been exceptionally good at that so far.<\/p>\n
PATRICK BEACH<\/b><\/p>\n
Patrick Beach will fill one of the back-up goalkeeper roles.<\/p>\n
He is the beneficiary of Popovic\u2019s decision to try and give as many players as possible a chance to come into camp during his tenure.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old, who plays for Melbourne City, was handed a surprise debut for the Socceroos against Venezuela in Houston in November and was close to the best Australian player on the field.<\/p>\n
Australia might\u2019ve lost the match 1-0 but Beach could do little about the goal. He made several crucial interventions, including one stunning save from a close-range header in the 17th minute.<\/p>\n
His performance against Switzerland in San Diego was just as good.<\/p>\n
Game time will probably be hard to come by over the next few weeks but his inclusion in the squad shows he\u2019s amongst the world\u2019s elite for any club looking for a shot-stopper.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach, below, saves a shot on goal from Switzerland forward Dan Ndoye, right, as Australia defender Lucas Herrington (25) looks on during the first half of an international friendly soccer game Saturday, June 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo\/Gregory Bull)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMOHAMED TOURE<\/b><\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t a radar around that Mohamed Toure is able to fly under anymore. 10 goals in 12 games in all competitions in the Championship in the UK, including two hat-tricks and three assists, will do that.<\/p>\n
The pace of his adaptation to life at Norwich after a mid-season switch from Randers in Denmark got plenty of attention.<\/p>\n
World Cup goals will take his newfound notoriety to another level. If, off the back of a successful World Cup, he can replicate his hot start to life in the second tier during his first full season with the Canaries in 2026\/27, the sky is the limit for the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n
NESTORY IRANKUNDA<\/b><\/p>\n
Nestory Irankunda played 42 games for Watford in the Championship last season across all competitions. It\u2019s the most games he has ever played in a single campaign as a professional footballer.<\/p>\n
As a 20-year-old, the benefit that type of workload has on football development is not quite immeasurable, because the progress is obvious, but incredibly valuable.<\/p>\n
The former Adelaide United, Bayern Munich and Grasshoppers winger is a human highlight reel. It won\u2019t take much for his star to explode in the biggest and most internet-exposed World Cup ever.<\/p>\n
Another season at Watford would most likely be the best thing for his career at this point. Then? Who knows.<\/p>\n
Veteran Socceroo Mat Leckie, at a record equalling fourth World Cup, is all too aware of the power this tournament can have on blooming careers like Irankunda\u2019s and Toure\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth very exciting players. We\u2019ve seen that in the national team but also back at their clubs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re doing great things and they\u2019re players that can make something happen out of nothing. They\u2019re in a really good position to have a really bright future. The World Cup is something special and it\u2019s a place where if you can, at a young age, do something in front of the world, it can take you to big places.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Nestory Irankunda of Australia controls the ball during the international friendly match between Australia and Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. Orlando Ramirez\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by Orlando Ramirez \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nALESSANDRO CIRCATI<\/b><\/p>\n
Alessandro Circati, at 22, is maturing into a great leader. The defender is viewed by many as a future captaincy candidate.<\/p>\n
Circati has been with Italian outfit Parma since his teenage years and is in his second year in Serie A with the club.<\/p>\n
His first season in the topflight in Italy was ruined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee, but he made it back in just seven months \u2013 two months quicker than even the faster end of the recovery scale – and has looked a tower of strength for club and country since.<\/p>\n
Circati will no doubt have a long and successful career at Parma if that\u2019s what he chooses but there\u2019s no doubt there\u2019ll be offers along the way.<\/p>\n
CRISTIAN VOLPATO<\/b><\/p>\n
Cristian Volpato was a late arrival in camp before the World Cup after deciding to pledge his allegiance to Australia, but it seemingly didn\u2019t take long to impress his new teammates.<\/p>\n
Every player who fronted the media after his arrival in camp appeared suitably impressed with the sharpness of the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n
Volpato, like Circati, also plays in Serie A. He featured 26 times for Sassuolo in all competitions, scored two goals and provided four assists. <\/p>\n
A big World Cup could either help him become a regular starter at Sassuolo next season or attract plenty of attention from clubs who see him filling that role.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Cristian Volpato of Australia competes for the ball against Dan Ndoye of Switzerland during the international friendly match between Australia and Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Mike Nowak\/Getty Images)<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTIMING RIGHT FOR THREE MORE WITH HUGE TALENT<\/b><\/p>\n
Harry Souttar<\/b> is under contract with Leicester City until the end of the 2028 season. <\/p>\n
The Foxes will be playing in League One next season after their relegation from the Championship. <\/p>\n
Souttar, when fit and firing as he appears to be once again after a long layoff due to a ruptured Achilles, has Premier League quality and has featured at that level before.<\/p>\n
The giant defender made it back on the field for the last two games of Leicester\u2019s season, after their relegation had been confirmed.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d be the perfect fit for a Championship club at the very least.<\/p>\n
Nishan Velupillay<\/b> is 25 and if an overseas move is going to eventuate it will most likely have to be off the back of this World Cup or soon after.<\/p>\n
The Melbourne Victory man can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or striker and is highly thought of by Popovic.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s highly likely he sees minutes during the tournament.<\/p>\n
Striker Tete Yengi<\/b>\u2019s next move could be where he spent the last five months of the season.<\/p>\n
Yengi, the brother of injured Socceroos striker Kusini, moved to Japanese side Machida Zelvia from Scottish club Livingston on loan in January.<\/p>\n
Whether Machida Zelvia intend to pursue the forward during the off-season remains unclear.<\/p>\n
22 appearances across the J.League and Asian Champions League Elite returned six goals and an assist.<\/p>\n
This World Cup call-up will only enhance his reputation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The FIFA World Cup is not just one of the biggest sporting shows on Earth but also the largest shop window the game has to offer. Perform at this tournament and it could be life-changing. It has happened before, but we\u2019ll get to that in a moment. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":247700,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-247699","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/247700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=247699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=247699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}