Head Coach Tony Popovic has named seven potential debutants in his Socceroos squad for the upcoming clashes against Brazil, including former Newcastle Jets star Eli Adams and ex-Adelaide United winger Yaya Dukuly.
The Socceroos take on the five-time FIFA World Champions in a two-game series in Queensland later this month, with Popovic seemingly using the games as an opportunity to take a look at several new players ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in January.
Among those in line for a potential debut alongside Adams and Dukuly are former Macarthur defender Kealey Adamson, who now plays for English side Queens Park Rangers, and Brondby winger Marcus Younis, who enjoyed an excellent stint in the Isuzu UTE A-League last season whilst on loan at Melbourne City.
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Eli Adams of Gamba Osaka
Yaya Dukuly of NK Celje
Former Western United defender Dylan Leonard has also been called into the squad, with the young centre back currently on loan at German side Alemannia Aachen from Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04, whilst former Melbourne Victory defender Kasey Bos has also been called up once again.
Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich is the only current Isuzu UTE A-League player called up to the squad, as he looks to add to his 87 caps.
The big selection news is the fact current captain and iconic goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has been left out of the squad.
MALAGA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 06: Mathew Ryan of Levante UD gestures during the Spanish league, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Malaga CF and Levante UD at La Rosaleda stadium on September 6, 2026, in Malaga, Spain. (Photo By Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Ryan lost his place for the Socceroos at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to then Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach, with his only appearance coming as a substitute for Beach in the penalty shootout defeat to Egypt.
The two matches, scheduled for Friday, September 25 in Townsville and Tuesday, September 29 in Brisbane, will be Australia’s only home fixtures before Popovic’s side turns its attention towards the AFC Asian Cup in January.
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The squad also includes 16 players who featured during Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with six of those players having since transferred to new clubs including Beach, who moved from Melbourne City to French side Troyes, whilst midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler is also included once again after leaving Sydney FC for German Bundesliga side FC Koln.
“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,” Socceroos Head Coach Popovic said.
“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.”
Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler said anticipation was building ahead of the two fixtures.
“We are excited to have the CommBank Socceroos back on home soil for both matches against Brazil, in Townsville and Brisbane.
“It is clear that excitement around the CommBank Socceroos is very high and the Queensland and Australian public is looking forward to acknowledging the Socceroos’ strong FIFA World Cup performances and backing the team as they prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
“There are only a handful of tickets remaining, so we encourage Socceroos fans to purchase tickets before it sells out.”
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
Patrick Beach (Troyes, France)
Paul Izzo (Randers FC, Denmark)
Jacob Chapman (St Mirren, Scotland) *Potential Debutant*
Defenders
Kealey Adamson (QPR, England) *Potential Debutant*
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City, Australia)
Alessandro Circati (S.L. Benfica, Portugal)
Milos Degenek (APOEL FC, Cyprus)
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata, Japan)
Lucas Herrington (Hull City A.F.C., England)
Dylan Leonard (Alemannia Aachen, Germany) *Potential Debutant*
Harry Souttar (Leicester City F.C., England)
Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK, Austria)
Kasey Bos (Excelsior Rotterdam, Netherlands) *Potential Debutant*
Midfielders
Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Köln, Germany)
Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka, Japan)
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough FC, England)
Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli FC, Germany)
Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC, USA)
Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City F.C., Wales)
Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC, USA)
Forwards
Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka, Japan) *Potential Debutant*
Yaya Dukuly (NK Celje, Slovenia) *Potential Debutant*
Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP, Portugal)
Mohamed Toure (Norwich City F.C., England)
Tete Yengi (FC Machida Zelvia, Japan)
Marcus Younis (Brondby IF, Denmark) *Potential Debutant*
Game One – Socceroos v Brazil
Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 8:00pm local / 8:00pm AEST
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Game Two – Socceroos v Brazil
Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 8:00pm local / 8:00pm AEST
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
