‘We know what he is’: Popa lift lids on ex-skipper’s axing as Socceroos unveil new-look squad

Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has swung the axe, naming seven uncapped players in his 26-player squad to take on the might of Brazil in two friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month.

Sixteen members of the squad that made it to the knockout rounds at this year’s World Cup - headlined by Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati, who all made big European moves after their exploits in Canada and the USA - have retained their place.

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Popovic said he will bring in fresh faces to tackle the South American powerhouse during his first press conference after the World Cup earlier this month and he has delivered on that promise.

Veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan was dumped from the Socceroos XI during the World Cup and now has been axed for the squad all together despite playing regularly in La Liga for Levante.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football and a player that has had a distinguished career - continues to have one, over 100 caps,” Popovic told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.

“We’d like to have a look at another keeper . We’ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we’ve been in charge.”

Popovic added when asked how Ryan took the news: “No, he’s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that’s why he’s had such a distinguished career.

“He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”

Ryan’s fellow four-time World Cupper Mat Leckie has also been omitted from the squad as have depth players Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.

Australia will be without Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, who all featured during the World Cup campaign, all miss due to injury.

Uncapped pair Kasey Bos, the younger brother of Jordy, and teenager Dylan Leonard, who is currently on loan at German club Alemannia Aachen from Bundesliga club Schalke, have been recalled after previously featuring in national team camps.

While five players aged 25 or younger have received their first Socceroos call up.

Forward Eli Adams, who recently joined Gamba Osaka in Japan from the Newcastle Jets, and Queen’s Park Rangers right back Kealey Adamson are exciting prospects.

St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman takes Ryan’s place, while Yaya Dukuly, who is with Slovenian PrvaLiga side Celje, and Danish Superliga club Brøndby’s Marcus Younis provide depth on the wings.

Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are back after missing the World Cup with injury, and Alex Robertson also returns courtesy of his good form for Cardiff City.

“We are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,” Popovic said in a statement.

“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.

“We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”

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SOCCEROOS SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Patrick Beach (Troyes)

Jacob Chapman (St Mirren)

Paul Izzo (Randers FC)

DEFENDERS

Kealey Adamson (Queen’s Park Rangers)

Aziz Behich (Melbourne City)

Kasey Bos (Excelsior Rotterdam, on loan from Mainz 05)

Alessandro Circati (Benfica)

Milos Degenek (Apoel FC)

Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata)

Lucas Herrington (Hull City)

Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK)

Dylan Leonard (Alemannia Aachen, on loan from Schalke)

Harry Souttar (Leicester City)

MIDFIELDERS

Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka)

Riley McGree (Middlesborough)

Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli)

Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC)

Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Koln)

Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City)

Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)

FORWARDS

Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka)

Yaya Dukuly (NK Celje)

Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP)

Mohamed Toure (Norwich City)

Tete Yengi (FC Machida Zelvia)

Marcus Younis (Brondby IF)

BRAZIL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Pedro Morisco (Coritiba)

Otávio (Cruzeiro)

DEFENDERS

Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR)

Douglas Santos (Zenit)

Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)

Jair (Nottingham Forest)

Marquinhos (PSG)

Matheuzinho (Corinthians)

Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven)

Vitor Reis (Manchester City)

Wesley (Roma)

MIDFIELDERS

Andrey Santos (Manchester United)

Breno Bidon (Corinthians)

Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal)

Danilo Santos (Botafogo)

Douglas Luiz (Juventus)

Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)

FORWARDS

Endrick (Real Madrid)

Estêvão (Chelsea)

João Pedro (Chelsea)

Pedro (Flamengo)

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Rayan (Bournemouth)

Samuel Lino (Flamengo)

Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

FIXTURES

Game One - Townsville - Friday 25 September at 8pm AEST

Game Two - Brisbane - Tuesday 29 September at 8pm AEST

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