Australia’s first World Cup game will be against France on November 23. Source: Socceroos’, Facebook.
Head coach Graham Arnold has announced the Socceroos’ team lineup for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this month.
The 26-man squad will be captained by goal keeper Matthew Ryan, who will be making his third FIFA World Cup appearance alongside other third-timer Mathew Leckie.
Several others including Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Jackson Irvine, Jamie MacLaren, Aaron Mooy and Bailey Wright will be set to play in their second World Cup while 17 players will be making their debut.
Arnold says that it’s been a long four years but that he’s confident with the squad they’re sending over to Qatar.
“It’s been a unique and difficult qualification campaign and we now arrive in Qatar with an exciting squad which will do everything to make Australia proud on the world stage,” he said.
“Over the past four years, 32 players have made their debut for the national team. I want to thank every player who has helped the team over this journey. We have called upon 68 players during the qualifying campaign and every one of them has played a part in getting us here.”
The coach also said that the Socceroos’ team is diverse and makes up that best of what Australian football has to offer.
“The make-up of our team reflects Australia’s multicultural landscape. Our boys come from all over the world, they all have different journeys, but we are united by one jersey.”
A list of the 26-man squad is below:
- Goalkeepers– Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic.
- Defenders- Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Harry Souttar, Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson, Joel King, Kye Rowles and Thomas Deng.
- Midfielders- Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic. Riley McGree, Cameron Devlin and Keanu Baccus.
- Forwards- Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchelle Duke, Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol and Jason Cummings.
