If Socceroos veteran Mitch Duke has his way, he’ll retire after playing at the World Cup.
But the 35-year-old Duke will call time on his international career regardless of whether he makes Tony Popovic’s squad and pulls off his swansong.
The 50-cap Socceroo hasn’t played for the national team since October 2025 — last featuring as a substitute in friendlies against Canada and the United States.
Duke, who played at the 2022 tournament, had sealed Australia’s sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance after scoring the match-winner in the 2-1 qualification win over Saudi Arabia.
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He was forced to watch the Socceroos’ most recent window — send-off friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao — from the stands after being formally presented with cap No.559.
Duke responded the following week by scoring a double and notching an assist to fire Macarthur to a 3-2 win over A-League Men leaders Newcastle.
And with the Socceroos to reconvene in May against Mexico, Duke knows he needs to keep pushing across the Bulls’ final three regular-season matches.
“And if I do that, I’ll give myself the best chance because for me, I don’t want to die wondering,” Duke told AAP.
“This is my last chance. I’m going to retire from the national team after this World Cup tournament, because it’s time to finally open up space for the next generation.
But the 35-year-old Duke will call time on his international career regardless of whether he makes Tony Popovic’s squad and pulls off his swansong. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
“Of course, there’s an Asian Cup around the corner, but to finish after a World Cup — if I get selected, of course — will be the icing on the cake of an international career that I can look back and be proud of.”
Duke will have Mohamed Toure to outperform after the young Norwich City striker made a successful return to club football from an injury.
Toure suffered a groin injury in late February, which ruled him out of Australia’s friendlies in March.
Explosive winger Nestory Irankunda is also raising the stakes in attack after pulling off a five-minute double in Australia’s 5-1 win over Curacao.
“I love that I’m finally getting pushed out to the side, even though they’re my competition,” Duke said.
“I can still keep up. I can still give these young ones a run for their money.
“For me, if I can challenge Mo Toure to keep at his best as well and keep him on his toes, then I’m happy to do that.
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“I know we’re very different players in that way, but we can still bounce off each other and make it a fight for that striker spot.”
Duke, who has scored 13 goals for Australia, feels he’s at the peak of his powers after a change in diet — which included cutting down on sugar and caffeine — and training regimes.
“I know that he (Popovic) still has that belief in me and knows that I can do a job still at that level,” Duke said.
“He will give me a chance if no one else is outperforming me.
“If I don’t (get selected), I can at least hold my head high and be like, ‘You know what? I gave it everything’.”
