A-League
Tony Popovic calls up FOUR A-Leagues stars
Melbourne Victory trio Daniel Arzani, Jason Geria and Nishan Velupillay, and Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich have been called up by the Subway Socceroos in an extended 26-player squad for two important 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers.
It is Tony Popovic’s first squad since replacing Graham Arnold last month and the A-Leagues great has turned to some familiar faces for upcoming qualifiers against China (October 10) and Japan (October 15).
The former Victory boss, who left AAMI Park after reaching the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, has handed a maiden Socceroos call-up to 23-year-old Victory winger Velupillay.
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After a breakout season under Popovic last term, Velupillay has hit the ground running with new boss Patrick Kisnorbo, scoring five goals en route to the 2024 Australia Cup final.
Arzani – who was left out of Victory’s squad for the Australia Cup decider – is back in the national team for the first time since June’s qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine, while Geria returns to the Socceroos after an eight-year absence.
City star Behich retains his place in the squad having featured against Bahrain and Indonesia last time out.
Of the 26 players called up, 21 have come through and played in the A-Leagues.
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“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey, and it’s an honour to lead this group of players,” Popovic said.
“I’m eager to welcome both the players and new staff into camp as we come together for the first time. This October window offers a great opportunity to showcase a vast improvement, both in our desire and in the quality of our play.
“This time in camp will be crucial as we lay the foundations that will not only help us succeed in this window but set the tone for our future ambitions.”
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Socceroos squad
| Name | Current Club, Country | ‘A’ Caps (Goals) | Junior Club (Member Federation/Country) |
| Daniel ARZANI | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 7 (1) | Coogee United FC / Football NSW |
| Keanu BACCUS | Mansfield Town, England | 20 (1) | Parklea FC / Football NSW |
| Aziz BEHICH | Melbourne City, Australia | 73 (2) | Meadow Park SC / Football VIC |
| Jordy BOS | K.V.C Westerlo, Belgium | 15 (1) | Hoppers Crossing SC / Football VIC |
| Cameron BURGESS | Ipswich Town, England | 10 (0) | ECU Joondalup / Football West |
| Thomas DENG | Albirex Niigata, Japan | 4 (0) | Adelaide Blue Eagles / Football SA |
| Mitchell DUKE | Machida Zelvia, Japan | 42 (12) | Liverpool Rangers SC / Football NSW |
| Joe GAUCI (Gk) | Aston Villa, England | 4 (0) | Cumberland United FC / Football SA |
| Jason GERIA | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 1 (0) | Weston Molonglo Football Club / Capital Football |
| Craig GOODWIN | Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia | 27 (6) | Munno Para City FC / Football SA |
| Ajdin HRUSTIC | U.S. Salernitana 1919, Italy | 27 (3) | Heatherton United SC / Football VIC |
| Nestory IRANKUNDA | Bayern Munich, Germany | 4 (1) | Adelaide Croatia Raiders SC / Football SA |
| Jackson IRVINE | St Pauli, Germany | 72 (11) | Ringwood City SC / Football VIC |
| Paul IZZO (Gk) | Randers, Denmark | 0 | Campbelltown City SC / Football SA |
| Massimo LUONGO | Ipswich Town, England | 45 (6) | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
| Riley McGREE | Middlesbrough, England | 25 (1) | Gawler Eagles FC / Football SA |
| Connor METCALFE | St. Pauli, Germany | 24 (0) | South Cardiff FC / NNSW Football |
| Lewis MILLER | Hibernian, Scotland | 6 (0) | Pittwater RSL FC / Football NSW |
| Aiden O’NEILL | Standard de Liège, Belgium | 14 (0) | University of Queensland Football Club / Football QLD |
| Kye ROWLES | Heart of Midlothian, Scotland | 23 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Mat RYAN | AS Roma, Italy | 95 (0) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Sam SILVERA | Portsmouth, England | 7 (0) | Blacktown City FC / Football NSW |
| Harry SOUTTAR | Sheffield United, England | 32 (11) | Brechin City Boys Club (Scotland) |
| Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS | Motherwell, Scotland | 1 (0) | Adelaide Comets FC / Football SA |
| Gianni STENSNESS | Viking FK, Norway | 2 (0) | Pittwater RSL FC / Football NSW |
| Nishan VELUPILLAY | Melbourne Victory, Australia | 0 | Endeavour United SC / Football Victoria |
