Tony Popovic Announces First Socceroos Squad with Notable Inclusions

In a significant development for Australian soccer, Tony Popovic has announced his first squad as the head coach of the Socceroos. The announcement comes just 12 days after Popovic was appointed to the position. The Socceroos are set to face China PR and Japan in the upcoming FIFA Men’s International Window, with matches scheduled at the Adelaide Oval and the Saitama Stadium 2002, respectively.

Among the noteworthy inclusions is the return of Massimo Luongo from international retirement. Luongo, a midfielder who was pivotal in Ipswich Town FC‘s promotion to the English Premier League, had previously retired in late 2023. Popovic addressed the return of Luongo, stating, “He’s made himself available, and he became an option for us, and I wanted to bring him into this camp.”

In addition, Melbourne Victory FC‘s Nishan Velupillay has received his first call-up to the senior national team. He joins fellow club teammates Daniel Arzani and Jason Geria, the latter returning to the national fold after an eight-year hiatus. The selection of Geria, who has not played for the Socceroos since 2016, could address a recurring issue in the right-back position.

The squad selection also highlights the inclusion of eight new faces, a move that demonstrates Popovic’s willingness to revamp the team following the departure of former head coach Graham Arnold. In his remarks, Popovic emphasized his commitment to fostering improvement and unity within the team, saying, “We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey, and it’s an honour to lead this group of players.”

The upcoming matches are crucial for Australia as they continue their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. The team will be looking to secure direct qualification through the AFC Asian Qualifiers, beginning with a must-win match against China. Following this, they will face Japan, a team they have not defeated since 2009.

In other squad news, several players have been omitted from Popovic’s 26-man squad, including the injured Alessando Circati, and Cameron Devlin, amongst others. The exclusion of Portsmouth striker Kusini Yengi, due to injury, further highlights the changes within the team dynamics under Popovic’s leadership.

Commenting on the challenges ahead, Popovic acknowledged the need to address issues with creativity in attack, especially against defensively-oriented teams. “I’m sure there will be a change now when they come in, and I’m sure the players… will be ready to come into camp and play better,” he stated. The Socceroos’ recent performances have been underwhelming, and Popovic’s immediate focus will be on enhancing the team’s attacking prowess.

Meanwhile, sources have indicated that former national team goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak was approached about a potential return, but the 36-year-old has declined. Langerak, set to join Melbourne Victory, cited family commitments and previous experiences with COVID-19 restrictions as factors in his decision.