Craig Goodwin Open to A-League Return Amid International Duty

Subway Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin has expressed openness to returning to Adelaide United in the future, amidst his current tenure with Saudi Pro League club Al Wehda. Goodwin left Adelaide United at the end of the 2022-23 season following a highly successful campaign in which he was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal.

Goodwin, who is Adelaide United’s all-time leading goalscorer, has been a standout performer in the A-League Men, tallying an impressive record of scoring 15 goals and providing 10 assists during his last season with the club. This achievement made him only the third player in A-League Men’s history to reach at least 10 goals and 10 assists in a single season.

Since his return to Al Wehda, a team he was previously part of during the 2019-20 season, the 32-year-old winger has continued to perform well, contributing eight goals, including two this season. As he prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup qualifier against China in Adelaide, Goodwin responded to speculations about his potential return to the A-League.

“Yeah, obviously Adelaide holds a special place in my heart and Adelaide United does as well,” Goodwin stated. “If there’s the opportunity in the future, we will see when that comes. But for now, I’ve taken this opportunity to really test myself against some of the best players in the world in a strong competition.”

Goodwin emphasized that his immediate focus is on his current stint with Al Wehda, which is set to conclude in June 2025. “I have another season to go there and it’s going well. We’ll see what happens. Whether I leave at the end of the season is something to think about but at the moment I’m enjoying myself,” he added.

The Socceroos face China in a crucial World Cup qualifier, with both teams converging at Adelaide Oval. The match has been highlighted as essential for Australia’s 2026 World Cup bid, especially after recent mixed performances in the Asian qualifiers which saw them lose to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia.