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Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has made several bombshell selection calls as the starting XI was revealed for Australia\u2019s World Cup opener against Turkiye at 2pm (AEST). <\/p>\n
Regular skipper Mat Ryan, veteran midfielder Jackson Irvine, teenage centre back Lucas Herrington, who yesterday was linked with Barcelona<\/a>, and last-minute addition Cristian Volpato have remarkably all been benched.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 250th anniversary | <\/i>Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/i><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Beach played last week\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Towering defender Harry Souttar will don the captain\u2019s armband in Ryan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Turkiye scores, updates and more<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n SOCCEROOS XI: <\/b>Patrick Beach (gk), Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar (c), Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos, Aiden O\u2019Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Connor Metcalfe, Mohamed Toure, Nestory Irankunda<\/p>\n Substitutes: <\/b>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<\/p>\n FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n LIVE BLOG<\/b><\/p>\n Read on for the latest news ahead of kick-off and follow along for live updates during the game!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The omission of 18-year-old Herrington was less of a surprise as Cameron Burgess set up Australia\u2019s goal in the second half against Switzerland and provides another seasoned head in the Socceroos\u2019 back three.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Volpato not starting was another decision that was less surprising as the freshly committed Socceroo loomed as a likely substitute on the wing.<\/p>\n But thousands of Australians were scratching their heads over the calls on Ryan and Irvine.<\/p>\n MORE FROM SUNDAY<\/b><\/p>\n \u2018IT\u2019S A DICTATORSHIP\u2019: Great fumes over replay controversy; five-time champs\u2019 shaky start<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n