After the Socceroos’ last hitout in September, coach Graham Arnold joked about the difficulty of naming a World Cup squad for Qatar, saying: “I’m going to reach out to Panadol as my new sponsor because I’m going to have quite a number of headaches to fit into a 26-man squad.”
Arnold will announce his side to travel to football’s biggest show on Tuesday, November 8.
And while his above statement was referring to the number of players in form for club and country, he is now facing headaches of a far less agreeable kind – with a raft of top players battling injuries, or lacking fitness or form.
Below is every player in serious contention to make the 26-player squad that will compete in Australia’s fifth-straight men’s World Cup appearance – categorised as locks, 50/50s, or bolters.
At the bottom, I’ve also predicted Australia’s complete squad as well as a likely starting XI for the Socceroos first match in Qatar.
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GOALKEEPERS
Three keepers are set to be selected in the 26-man squad – and we believe all three are already locked in.
Mat Ryan
The Socceroos captain has been nigh-undroppable for years, racking up 75 caps at just 30 years old. Losing his starting spot at FC Copenhagen leaves him short of match minutes (with just two appearances in October). But Arnold recently told Foxsports.com.au that Ryan has “never let us down” and is essentially a lock to start.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Mitch Langerak
Playing out of his skin in Japan, Langerak is back in the Socceroos frame after retiring due to Japan’s Covid-19 restrictions. Probably the most consistent Australian performer anywhere in the world, he racked up 40 games (16 clean sheets) for Nagoya Grampus this season and won the club’s MVP award (and a car to boot). On form and match minutes, there’s even a case that Langerak should be between the sticks in Qatar.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Andrew Redmayne
His famous ‘Grey Wiggle’ antics in the penalty shootout against Peru made him an instant fan favourite. A long-time and dependable deputy for the national team, he has however suffered a tricky start to the season with Sydney FC, copping eight goals in four matches. Unlikely to start, but could feature as a penalty shootout specialist should Australia pull a massive upset and reach the knockout stages.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
THE BOLTERS
There are a number of Australians who have been on the fringes of the national team in recent years, but given the A-League season has just started they have limited match minutes under their belt and are unlikely to break into the squad.
Danny Vukovic, at 37, has four caps and was part of the 2018 World Cup squad, but the Mariners keeper has conceded six goals in three games, making just five saves.
Should Arnold wish to take a youngster with an eye to the future, Adelaide’s Joe Gauci, 22, has enjoyed a solid start to the new season, as has Thomas Glover, 24, for Melbourne City.
Lawrence Thomas (30) is in form for Western Sydney Wanderers, conceding just once, but is at very long odds to add to his sole Socceroos appearance back in 2021.
Around the world, Mark Birighitti has struggled for match minutes in recent months at Dundee United in Scotland.
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LEFT BACKS
A problem position for Australia for some time, Arnold has plenty of decent options – but perhaps no real standouts.
Aziz Behich
31-year-old Behich has made over 50 appearances for the Socceroos, and has delivered plenty of decent performances over the years. However, he has been found wanting on multiple occasions in recent years, caught out by his positioning or through sloppy individual errors. Nevertheless, with 13 appearances this club campaign for Dundee United in Scotland – and a couple of handy goals to boot – his regular minutes and national team experience should get him on the plane.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Joel King
It looks like a three-way fight for the second left back spot in the squad, but 22-year-old King is the incumbent and will be tough to unseat. He’s played four games for the Socceroos in 2022, including three starts – most recently against New Zealand in September. He’s almost certain to be around the squad for the next decade, but will Arnold shy away from youth and inexperience this time? King was benched by his Danish side Odense BK for all of September, and made just one start last month, leaving him at serious risk of losing out.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Jason Davidson
The 31-year-old appears most likely to push out King – or even Behich – and earn a place on the plane to Qatar. Having been a mainstay for Australia at the 2014 World Cup and title-winning 2015 Asian Cup competitions, Davidson didn’t play for the Socceroos between 2015 and June this year. But a brilliant A-League season with Melbourne Victory brought him back to his elite best, and earned him a move to Belgium, where he has played a very impressive 15 times this season (12 starts), mostly on the left side of a back-three. That offers tactical flexibility that could prove decisive in earning him selection and perhaps even a starting berth.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Callum Elder
Elder is one of the great mysteries of Graham Arnold’s tenure. Despite playing dozens and dozens of matches in England’s second, third, and fourth flights in recent years, Elder has been capped just once for the Socceroos back in Feb. 2021.
His form this season was again impressive – with 14 appearances and 12 starts for Hull in the Championship. But Elder missed the last three weeks with injury, likely robbing him of the chance to convince Arnold to finally hand him another call-up to the Australian side. He is set to return to club action this weekend, but it’s probably too late for the 27-year-old.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER.
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RIGHT BACKS
There’s no shortage of competition for the right-back spot come Qatar, especially with injuries hitting the top contenders in recent weeks.
Fran Karacic
26-year-old Karacic started the season in brilliant form, picking up two assists in his first six Serie B games with Brescia. Then he copped an injury that ruled him out of nearly the entirety of last month, only to return in recent days with a sterling 90-minute effort in Italy’s second division. Karacic appears Australia’s most gifted fullback in terms of defensive ability, which could earn him the starting berth in Qatar against dangerous attacking rivals from France and Denmark. Even if he’s not fully fit for the opener, he’s likely to add to his 11 Socceroos caps at some point in Qatar.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Nathaniel Atkinson
The 23-year-old has been locked in a running battle with Fran Karacic for the starting spot for the Socceroos for months, with both players getting one start each in the two-game series against New Zealand in September. Based in Scotland with Hearts, Atkinson struggled to lock down a starting berth this season, making ten appearances before suffering an ankle injury a fortnight ago that left him on crutches – but was luckily not too serious. However, he returned against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Europa Conference League today, in brilliant news for Aussie fans. With three more matches on offer before the World Cup he looks likely to retain his place, but Arnold might be unwilling to gamble on both Karacic and Atkinson given they are returning from recent injuries, and a setback might prove disastrous.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Ryan Strain
Thankfully, the Socceroos do have a player who has racked up consistent starts and is injury free: Ryan Strain. The 25-year-old was finally rewarded for a hardworking, reliable career with his international debut in September.
He’s banked 14 appearances in Scotland with St Mirren this season, including 12 starts, and looks a far safer option compared to the injured incumbents above.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50.
Rhyan Grant
Rhyan Grant was a Socceroos mainstay following the 2018 World Cup, beloved by Arnold as much as fans for his laid-back style and flowing mullet. He’s slipped out of favour (last playing in March) due to the rise of Karacic and Atkinson, but if their injuries prove too big a risk to take to Qatar, Arnold could turn to his dependable 31-year-old veteran who has taken the field for Australia over 20 times. Grant has started the new season in reasonable, if not mind-blowing, fashion for Sydney FC.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
Josh Risdon
The 30-year-old earned his Socceroos debut back in 2015, and racked up 14 caps – including every minute at the 2018 World Cup – before falling out of the picture in 2019. A couple of solid seasons in the A-League put him back on the fringe of selection, and he’s started the new campaign well for Western United, with a goal and an assist to boot. Definitely a long shot, but his World Cup experience might just convince Arnold to give him another shot at the big dance.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
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CENTRE BACKS
One of the most important positions in the squad, and one where Arnold is facing big headaches. Injuries to top stars, form wobbles, and the fact that a whole host of players are in their off-season means Arnold will be rolling the dice no matter who he chooses. We’re anticipating four, or possibly five, centre-backs earn a call-up.
Trent Sainsbury
Sainsbury is Australia’s most experienced central defender with over 60 caps, but he’s been struggling with form for both the Socceroos and at club level – highlighted by a disastrous pair of errors against NZ last time out. Sainsbury hasn’t played since September when his Qatari Stars League concluded, but has been training with Melbourne City to keep his fitness up. Given the issues with other centre-back options and Arnold’s long-term trust in the 31-year-old, Sainsbury should reprise his role from the 2018 World Cup.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Harry Souttar
Undoubtedly an X-factor at the back, the towering giant is a weapon on set pieces at both ends of the park, picking up six goals in 10 Socceroos appearances – largely thanks to being the tallest-ever Socceroos outfielder. Only just returned from an ACL injury suffered last November, but Souttar has now appeared three times for Stoke’s junior side. At full fitness, he’s our first-choice starter. Even without the match minutes in his legs, he’s still likely worth a spot, especially with squad sizes expanded to 26 for this tournament.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Kye Rowles
Another star under a big injury cloud, Rowles is recovering from a broken foot and looks a big risk – especially if Souttar is also selected. The 24-year-old has immense potential and started the Scottish season brilliantly for Hearts prior to his injury, but hasn’t featured since August 28. He could feature three times for his club before Qatar, likely earning his first minutes on Sunday – two days before Arnold announces his side. It’s a big risk, but the Rowles-Souttar combination is a very enticing prospect.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Milos Degenek
He’s been a regular for the Roos over the years, and has plenty of minutes from his 28 appearances in the MLS (USA) this campaign. But the 28-year-old has fallen in the pecking order in the last couple of years. Nevertheless, if Arnold is looking for stability and experience – or needs to rule out Rowles or Souttar with injuries – Degenek is likely to get the nod.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Thomas Deng
25-year-old Deng’s combination with Souttar at the 2010 Olympics in Tokyo was a thing of beauty, and for many fans and pundits it looked like the long-term future for the Socceroos. Deng made just eight starts for Albirex Niigata in Japan’s second tier this season after returning from an 18-month ongoing groin injury, but impressed since his return, helping Niigata earn promotion to the top flight. He offers plenty of versatility as the most capable fill-in at fullback and was very strong against New Zealand in September, just his second Socceroos appearance after a gap of nearly four years.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Harrison Delbridge
A late bloomer, Delbridge earned his first Socceroos cap against New Zealand and was a standout alongside Deng. But the 30-year-old appears to be a little ways down the pecking order despite a brilliant season in Korea with Incheon United, playing 33 of 38 games as Incheon United finished fourth. That makes him the centre-back with the most recent minutes and form, which could see him surge into the squad – especially if Arnold takes a risk with a couple of others who have returned recently from injuries.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
Bailey Wright
Wright has really struggled for minutes in England’s second tier this season, but has now played the full 90 minutes for Sunderland twice this week in a huge boost to his chances – and has another chance on Saturday. The 30-year-old has more than a quarter-century of international appearances, including two highly respectable showings against the UAE and Peru in the play-offs for Qatar.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
OTHER BOLTERS: Alex Grant (28yo, Pohang Steelers, Korea), Ryan McGowan (33yo, St Johnstone, Scotland, 22 caps), Alessandro Circati (19yo, Parma, Italy).
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
We’re expecting six or seven midfielders to earn a spot in the squad. There are some issues with injuries to key players, but thankfully there are more than enough stars fit and in form to field a dangerous midfield core.
Aaron Mooy
After a stunning move to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic, the 32-year-old midfield maestro has found brilliant form courtesy of a run of starts for the Scottish side – including against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Surely one of the first names on the team sheet.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
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Jackson Irvine
Irvine has flourished in Germany with second-tier FC St Pauli, where the midfielder is the captain. He’ll be on the plane to Qatar, and will bring up his 50th Socceroos cap when he first takes to the field.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Riley McGree
13 starts and 18 appearances all up in England’s brutal Championship this season puts McGree in superb shape ahead of Qatar – and gives him the most minutes of any Australian playmaker. He’s been thrown into a number of different positions for Middlesbrough, meaning Graham Arnold won’t be afraid of deploying him across the park or tweaking formations and tactics mid-match. With 11 caps already for the Socceroos, he will surely be celebrating this week’s 24th birthday with a call-up.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Ajdin Hrustic
One of the Socceroos’ finest stars, 26-year-old Hrustic loomed as arguably the most important player for our Qatar hopes – before suffering an ankle injury a couple of weeks ago. It’s unclear how serious that injury is, but even if he’s not fully recovered by the time the World Cup begins, Arnold will likely select him due to his value off the bench. Played five-straight games for first-tier Italian side Hellas Verona, with three starts, before his untimely injury.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
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Tom Rogic
Socceroos half-centurion Rogic has been a favourite son of Arnold over the years, a playmaker with an ability to break games open for the Socceroos with his creativity and vision. But the 29-year-old midfielder withdrew from the Socceroos’ crucial World Cup playoff matches earlier this year for personal reasons – without explaining his rationale to Arnold or his Australian teammates. Then he was without a club for months after leaving Celtic, and has started just once since landing at Championship club West Brom. He’s clearly lacking in match fitness, but his talent is undeniable. It’s the kind of headache Arnold would prefer not to have.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Connor Metcalfe
Playing alongside Irvine at St Pauli, the 22-year-old is going from strength to strength. He’s battling hard to break into the first team, but is undeniably fit, as a 120-minute performance in the DFB-Pokal (cup) two weeks ago demonstrates. His connection with Irvine could prove valuable, and he’s starred in his five Socceroos caps, including a brilliant assist against New Zealand.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Cameron Devlin
A recent ankle injury has hurt his chances, but the 24-year-old defensive midfielder has already banked 15 appearances this season – and a handful of assists, including two in one match against Celtic.
Never afraid of a hard tackle (earning a red card last month) or running his guts out, he offers the kind of physicality and additional protection for the defensive line that Arnold will be very keen to use against the heavyweights. Assuming (and expecting) he’s fit, Devlin should earn a call-up – and just a second cap after debuting in September.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Keanu Baccus
Baccus is in sublime form in Scotland, starting just about every single match for St Mirren (where Aussie Ryan Strain is his teammate). He’s drawing plenty of interest from big English clubs, with scouts regularly watching on as he runs the show in the centre of the park. With a couple of goals to add to his impressive resume, the former Western Sydney Wanderers star would still be something of a surprise – but his form more than warrants selection.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
Cristian Volpato
Whether to cap Volpato – or try to, anyway – has been the biggest debate in Australian football this week after the teen star scored and assisted for Italian giants Roma in a breakout performance. Also eligible to play for Italy, that nation’s absence from the World Cup gives Australia a rare opportunity to try and convince the 18-year-old to lock in his allegiance to the Socceroos. He wouldn’t be the most popular pick, given his anti-Socceroos swipe earlier this year, but he has shown flashes of brilliance at the elite level and looks dangerous – especially off the bench. If Rogic isn’t viewed as ready to compete in Qatar, Volpato is a strong replacement as an impact substitute.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
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Denis Genreau
His talent is obvious, but Genreau hasn’t managed to pick up regular minutes for first-tier French side Toulouse this season. His eight substitute appearances have totalled less than 90 minutes on the park – hardly enough to inspire confidence in the 23-year-old ahead of this month’s tournament.
He’s been in and around the Australian set-up for years, with four caps, and there’s little doubt he can be a key contributor in the years to come. But based on club form, there’s little reason to believe Arnold will throw him straight into the deep end.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
Kenneth Dougall
The 29-year-old is in stellar form in England’s second tier this season, with 15 league starts – and two goals and an assist in his last five matches. He’s often been overlooked for a role in the Australian side in recent years, however, despite regular minutes and strong performances at the domestic level. Dougall has picked up just three starts for the Socceroos, but being left out of the New Zealand series indicates that he’s probably not part of Arnold’s plans.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
OTHER BOLTERS: James Jeggo (KAS Eupen, Belgium, 30, 15 caps), Massimo Luongo (Middlesbrough, England, 30, 43 caps), Tyrese Francois (HNK Gorica, Croatia, 22), Jake Brimmer (Melbourne Victory, 24).
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WINGERS
There’s no shortage of talented flyers in the Australian set-up, with a number of stars having impressed in recent years for the Socceroos. However, a lack of match minutes and fitness/injury concerns once again could play a role.
Mathew Leckie
The second-most experienced player in the side behind Ryan – and only just behind him, with 73 caps to Ryan’s 75. Leckie is capable of playing as a striker as well as his more-favoured wide role, and provides leadership as well as a handy goal threat, with his 13 international strikes the most of any current player. Not as rapid as he once was, but still a key figure.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Craig Goodwin
The 30-year-old Adelaide United captain seemed to struggle for fitness in the opening couple of weeks of the new A-League campaign, but has hit his stride in the last two rounds, with a goal and an assist – and playing some delightful football. His set pieces are a significant asset.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Garang Kuol
The breakout star of last year’s A-League season, Kuol is one of the hottest prospects Australian football has seen in years – and next year, he could be plying his trade in the Premier League after sealing a January move to Newcastle. After impressing on Socceroos debut by winning a penalty against New Zealand, he put on a show for the Central Coast Mariners last weekend and has one last chance on Saturday night against the Wanderers. He still has never started a senior football match, and almost certainly won’t in Qatar, but he looks likely to earn a place as a potential game-breaker off the bench. It’s a remarkable rise from a player viewed as an absolute bolter as recently as a month ago.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Awer Mabil
He’s hardly kicked a ball since moving to Cadiz in Spain’s top flight, with just five appearances – including less than half an hour on the pitch in October. It’s a serious worry. But Mabil is a proven performer for the Socceroos with eight goals in 29 appearances, and his skill-set and pace will probably keep him in the squad.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
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Martin Boyle
Speed, confidence, and an unstoppable desire to take defenders on: Boyle brings plenty to the Socceroos, and at his best is one of the biggest attacking threats in Arnold’s arsenal. However, the 29-year-old went off with a lower-leg injury on the weekend, and is seeing a specialist for scans in Manchester on Thursday (local time). With six goal involvements in 12 league matches for Hibernian this season, and five goals for the Socceroos in 19 matches, Graham Arnold will likely be willing to take him to Qatar even if not fully fit, with the hope he can play a role off the bench.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Marco Tilio
If Garang Kuol’s rapid rise has negatively impacted any Australian, it’s probably Tilio. A slow start to the A-League season has the diminutive winger on the brink of missing out on the World Cup, but the 21-year-old responded by winning a penalty, then scoring a separate goal, for Melbourne City on the weekend.
His got his first Socceroos start against New Zealand after four bench appearances, reflecting Arnold’s faith in his potential, but he’ll be desperate for a showstopping effort on the weekend to convince the manager he’s the winger to trust in Qatar. If Boyle’s injury rules the Scotsman out, Tilio is the likely replacement.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Daniel Arzani
He was the great bolter of the 2018 World Cup, the youngest ever Australian in a World Cup squad and the youngest player of any team that tournament in Russia (19y, 163d at first appearance). He came on as a substitute in all three matches, and looked destined for a successful career. But a loan move from Manchester City to Celtic ended in a devastating ACL injury on debut, and after eventually recovering, he struggled while on loan at three minnows around Europe. Returning to Australia has reignited the 23-year-old’s career, and his strong start to the season might just convince Arnold to throw him a call-up that seemed impossible barely 12 months ago.
SELECTION STATUS: BOLTER
OTHER BOLTERS: Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers, 27, 4 caps) Reno Piscopo (Newcastle Jets, 24), Andrew Nabbout (Melbourne City, 29, 10 caps).
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STRIKERS
The number nine role is probably the single position that is least settled, and has been a major problem ever since the retirement of the great Tim Cahill. A number of players have been given multiple chances by Arnold, with none doing quite enough to grab a stranglehold on the jersey come Qatar. Each of the top contenders also offer slightly different playing styles and skill-sets, making it a tricky position to predict. We’re expecting Arnold to select three or four strikers, remembering that Leckie – named above – can also figure at the position.
Mitchell Duke
The 31-year-old has been a loyal servant under Arnold for many years, and offers a different profile on the pitch compared to many of the other strikers up for selection. Duke is a combative and physical hold-up player who works tirelessly off the ball and can hold up possession, which could prove a crucial outlet when pinned back against the likes of France.
His recent scoring record at club level is rather underwhelming: eight goals in 37 appearances in Japan’s second division. But Arnold knows exactly what the 21-cap international can offer – not just on the pitch, but as a leader in the squad – and with plenty of minutes under his belt this season, he’ll be on that 26-man list.
SELECTION STATUS: LOCK
Jamie Maclaren
Maclaren has done everything right in his bid to earn his place in the side, scoring five goals in four A-League matches to start the season. Most of those have come from penalties or tap-ins close to goal, which reflects the kind of fox-in-the-box threat the Melbourne City star poses. But if the Socceroos are starved of possession and chances – as appears likely – Maclaren (26 caps, eight goals) could struggle to make an impact.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
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Jason Cummings
After notching a sensational record in last year’s A-League season with the Central Coast Mariners (10 goals and six assists in just 21 games), the 27-year-old has been a standout in the opening matches of the new campaign. He scored in round two and had a stunning bicycle kick ruled out for offside – not the only brilliant strike ruled out for various reasons so far.
Then, he scored and racked up three assists to spark an epic comeback win over Western United. Having scored a penalty on debut against New Zealand, Cummings’ brilliant form – and ability to pull off something magical or unexpected – should do enough to earn a place on the plane. His quickly-developing combination with teammate Garang Kuol also shouldn’t be overlooked.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
Adam Taggart
Taggart was the Socceroos’ first-choice starter for much of 2019 and 2021, but has featured just once for Australia in 2022 after suffering a meniscus injury in November last year. Given the very strong form of Cummings and Maclaren in recent weeks, Taggart could slip down to fourth in the pecking order – and Arnold might only take three strikers to Qatar. Taggart has 17 Socceroos appearances over a decade and six goals, but scored just five times in 20 league appearances this season for Cerezo Osaka in Japan’s top flight. Arnold’s long history of working with Taggart – compared to just one camp with Cummings – could prove decisive.
SELECTION STATUS: 50/50
OTHER BOLTERS: Nicholas D’Agostino (Melbourne Victory, 24, 2 cap), Nikita Rukavytsya (Maccabi Haifa, Israel, 35, 21 caps).
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PREDICTED SOCCEROOS SQUAD
Keepers (3): Mat Ryan, Mitchell Langerak, Andrew Redmayne
Left backs (2): Aziz Behich, Jason Davidson
Right backs (2): Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson
Centre backs (4): Harry Souttar, Trent Sainsbury, Kye Rowles, Thomas Deng.
Central midfielders (5): Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Cameron Devlin, Connor Metcalfe
Attacking midfielders (2): Riley McGree, Tom Rogic
Wingers (5): Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol
Strikers (3): Mitchell Duke, Jamie Maclaren, Adam Taggart.
PREDICTED STARTING XI VS FRANCE
4-3-3:
Mat Ryan
Ryan Atkinson, Harry Souttar, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich
Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustic
Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren, Awer Mabil
