The Socceroos begin their journey to the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night when they face Bangladesh in Melbourne (8pm AEDT).
It is the first in a minimum of 16 qualifiers for Australia as they attempt to book their place in a sixth-consecutive men’s tournament.
Australia, ranked 27th in the world, will be firm favourites against Bangladesh, ranked just 183.
But on a night when coach Graham Arnold will claim the record for the most international ‘A’ games in charge of the Socceroos, he will be hoping his charges can get their qualification journey off the mark with a strong performance.
After Bangladesh comes a clash with Palestine on Tuesday Nov. 21 in Kuwait. These matches are important first steps on the road to 2026, but equally crucial as Australia’s last games before the Asian Cup in January.
The Socceroos named a mix of youth and experience for the clash, with veterans including captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine, Mitch Duke and Craig Goodwin balanced with youngsters like 21-year-old Jordan Bos for just his fifth cap.
Cameron Burgess is handed his third appearance, the same as fellow defender Lewis Miller.
It is a reflection of the new-look squad where 12 of the 23 players are aged 25 or younger – twice as many as the squad that began the road to the last World Cup.
Winger Martin Boyle was ommitted from the entire match-day squad, hinting at a possible injury.
THE PATH: Australia’s big ‘26 World Cup boost explained as new Socceroos era dawns
‘HE BELIEVED IN ME’: Socceroos rookie’s huge praise for ex-Aussie star
Yengi ready for Socceroos debut | 01:02
SOCCEROOS CONFIRMED XI
(4-3-3, R-L) Maty Ryan; Lewis Miller, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe; Brandon Borrello, Mitch Duke, Craig Goodwin
FULL SOCCEROOS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan, Joe Gauci, Ashley Maynard-Brewer
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Ryan Strain, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Lewis Miller, Alessandro Circati
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Connor Metcalfe, Keanu Baccus, Aiden O’Neill
Forwards: Mitchell Duke, Jamie Maclaren, Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin, Brandon Borrello, Samuel Silvera, Kusini Yengi
MATCH CENTRE: Live stats and more!
LIVE BLOG
Follow the action in our live blog below! If you can’t see the blog, click here.
