Australia head coach Tony Popovic has named a 26-player squad for the Socceroos’ final home matches before the FIFA World Cup 2026, with three uncapped players earning call-ups.
The squad will face Cameroon at Accor Stadium in Sydney on March 27 and Curacao at AAMI Park in Melbourne on March 31, both part of the FIFA Series 2026.
The two fixtures are the last time Australian fans will see the Socceroos on home soil before the team heads to the United States for the World Cup in June.
The Three Uncapped Players
Lucas Herrington, a defender playing for Colorado Rapids in the United States, has received his first call-up to the senior squad. Ante Suto, a striker for Hibernian in Scotland, is the other first-time inclusion. The 25-year-old Suto, who was born and raised in Croatia, qualifies for Australia through his father and has never visited the country before. He has scored three goals for Hibernian this season in Scotland.
Popovic addressed Suto’s unusual path to the squad on Thursday at a press conference held in front of the Sydney Opera House
. “It’s a nice surrounding to come for your first time,” he said. “But it’ll be something very new for him, but I’m sure very exciting as well.”
The third uncapped player is forward Deni Juric, who plays for Wisla Plock in Poland. Juric had previously been called into a Socceroos camp last November but departed due to injury before earning a cap. This squad gives him another opportunity to make his international debut.
Segecic Absent After Choosing Croatia
The notable absence from the squad is Portsmouth midfielder Adrian Segecic, who won last season’s A-League Men golden boot before moving to England’s Championship. Segecic, 21, has opted to represent Croatia rather than Australia, ending what had been a prolonged period of uncertainty about his international allegiance.
Popovic was direct about the situation. “If you’re getting called up for Australia through the junior levels, then you get called up by the Socceroos, shouldn’t that be enough that you’re wanted? Should I promise a player at 20 or 21 that he has to play?” he said.
He added that he would not make promises to young players to convince them to commit, and that he refuses to “sell the shirt.”
On Segecic specifically, Popovic said: “It’s probably better for Adrian that he’s gone because I now haven’t restricted him from going maybe where he really wants to be.” The coach did not rule out welcoming Segecic back in the future if circumstances change, but made clear that for now, his focus is on the players who want to be there.
Familiar Faces Return
Beyond the three uncapped players, the squad includes several experienced names returning to the setup after spells away. Aziz Behich, who has 81 caps and three international goals and currently plays for Melbourne City, returns for the first time since June 2025, when he scored in Australia’s World Cup qualifying win over Japan.
Nishan Velupillay of Melbourne Victory also comes back into the squad. The winger last featured for the Socceroos in March 2025, when he scored during victories over Indonesia and China. He has five caps and three international goals to his name.
Awer Mabil, who plays for CD Castellon in Spain, has been named in the squad for the first time since September 2024. The winger has 35 caps and nine international goals across his Socceroos career. Also recalled are Jordan Bos of Feyenoord, Alessandro Circati of Parma, Ajdin Hrustic of Heracles Almelo, Jacob Italiano of Grazer AK, Fran Karacic of NK Osijek, Alexander Robertson of Cardiff City, and Patrick Yazbek of Nashville SC.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who has 101 caps, remains in the squad and continues to be the experienced backbone of the group. Martin Boyle of Hibernian, who has 40 caps and 10 international goals, is also included, as is Connor Metcalfe of St Pauli, Riley McGree of Middlesbrough, and Nestory Irankunda of Watford.
Mo Toure Absent Through Injury
One significant absentee is striker Mo Toure, who has been impressing for Norwich City in England’s Championship this season but misses out due to injury. His absence creates an opening up front, and both Juric and Suto will be looking to take advantage of that opportunity across the two matches.
Popovic on the Purpose of This Window
Popovic has been clear about what these two matches represent. They are the final opportunity for players on the fringe of the World Cup squad to make their case in person before he finalises his selections for the tournament.
“For many this camp is another opportunity to represent the Socceroos. However, we have also included new faces, as this is our final chance to see players first-hand before our World Cup camp,” he said.
“If you look at the squad there are places up for grabs because, you can tell by the new faces that are here, we’re always leaving the door open for any player.”
He also acknowledged the significance of the matches for Australian supporters. “These matches are crucial. They serve as a farewell to our fans and an opportunity for them to see the team one last time before we head to the United States.”
The World Cup Picture
After the FIFA Series 2026 fixtures, a wider Australian squad will enter a pre-tournament camp in California, from which Popovic will select his final 26 for the World Cup. Australia are scheduled to play Mexico and one other opponent, yet to be confirmed, as final preparation matches before the tournament begins.
Australia’s World Cup group stage schedule is set. They open on June 13 against a UEFA playoff winner, a team that will be determined later this month. They then face the host nation United States, in Seattle on June 19, before completing their group stage campaign against Paraguay on June 25 in Santa Clara, near San Francisco.
About the Opponents
Cameroon are a well-established African side with a long history at the World Cup and will provide a test of Australia’s defensive organisation and attacking intent at Accor Stadium. Curacao, who face Australia in Melbourne on March 31, carry particular significance as the smallest nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals. Their historic qualification makes the fixture a relevant dress rehearsal for the kind of compact, well-organised opposition Australia could face at the tournament itself.
Both matches will be broadcast on Network 10 and Paramount+ in Australia. Tickets for the Cameroon match at Accor Stadium are available through Ticketmaster, and tickets for the Curacao fixture at AAMI Park are available through Ticketek.
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