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Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has swung the axe, naming seven uncapped players in his 26-player squad to take on the might of Brazil in two friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month.<\/p>\n
Sixteen members of the squad that made it to the knockout rounds at this year\u2019s World Cup – headlined by Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati, who all made big European moves after their exploits in Canada and the USA – have retained their place.<\/p>\n
\ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Popovic said he will bring in fresh faces to tackle the South American powerhouse during his first press conference after the World Cup<\/a> earlier this month and he has delivered on that promise.<\/p>\n Veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan was dumped from the Socceroos XI during the World Cup and now has been axed for the squad all together despite playing regularly in La Liga for Levante.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football and a player that has had a distinguished career – continues to have one, over 100 caps,\u201d Popovic told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d like to have a look at another keeper\ufeff. We\u2019ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we\u2019ve been in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n Popovic added when asked how Ryan took the news: \u201cNo, he\u2019s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that\u2019s why he\u2019s had such a distinguished career.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s still available for us and he\u2019s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.\u201d <\/p>\n Ryan\u2019s fellow four-time World Cupper Mat Leckie has also been omitted from the squad as have depth players Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.<\/p>\n Australia will be without Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, who all featured during the World Cup campaign, all miss due to injury.<\/p>\n Uncapped pair Kasey Bos, the younger brother of Jordy, and teenager Dylan Leonard, who is currently on loan at German club Alemannia Aachen from Bundesliga club Schalke, have been recalled after previously featuring in national team camps.<\/p>\n While five players aged 25 or younger have received their first Socceroos call up.<\/p>\n Forward Eli Adams, who recently joined Gamba Osaka in Japan from the Newcastle Jets, and Queen\u2019s Park Rangers right back Kealey Adamson are exciting prospects.<\/p>\n St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman takes Ryan\u2019s place, while Yaya Dukuly, who is with Slovenian PrvaLiga side Celje, and Danish Superliga club Br\u00f8ndby\u2019s Marcus Younis provide depth on the wings.<\/p>\n Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are back after missing the World Cup with injury, and Alex Robertson also returns courtesy of his good form for Cardiff City.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it\u2019s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,\u201d Popovic said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Cut your f***ing face off\u2019: Football\u2019s bloodiest rivalry is back after 14 years… and chaos awaits<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffForgotten Aussie\u2019s screamer haunts old club in dream return… as Socceroo denied PL milestone<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n