Tony Popovic announces bold Socceroos squad for Brazil clash

Tony Popovic promised change. He has delivered a shake-up.

The Socceroos boss has named a bold 26-man squad to face Brazil in Townsville and Brisbane later this month, axing veterans Mat Ryan and Mat Leckie and calling in seven uncapped players as he turns sharply towards 2027 and beyond.

Sixteen members of the group that reached the knockout rounds at this year’s World Cup keep their spots – headlined by Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati, all fresh from big European moves after their exploits in Canada and the USA. But this is no loyalty list. It’s a line in the sand.

Ryan out as Popovic backs new era in goal

Ryan’s omission is the headline decision. Dumped from the starting XI during the World Cup, the four-time tournament veteran has now been left out of the squad entirely, despite regular minutes in La Liga with 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. “We’d like to have a look at another keeper. We’ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we’ve been in charge.”

Asked how Ryan took the news, Popovic didn’t hesitate: “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.”

For now, though, the gloves move on. St Mirren’s Jacob Chapman comes in to join Patrick Beach (Troyes) and Paul Izzo (Randers FC), with Chapman effectively stepping into Ryan’s role in camp.

Leckie, another four-time World Cup campaigner, also misses out, as do depth options Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic. The clear message: reputations alone won’t carry anyone into the next cycle.

Injuries open the door – and the kids walk through

Australia will be without Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, all ruled out through injury after playing their part at the World Cup. Their absence has created space, and Popovic has wasted no time filling it with youth.

Kasey Bos, younger brother of Jordy, and teenager Dylan Leonard are back in the frame after previous involvement in national team camps. Bos is currently at Excelsior Rotterdam on loan from Mainz 05, while Leonard is on loan at Alemannia Aachen from Schalke.

On top of that, five players aged 25 or under receive their first senior call-ups.

Forward Eli Adams, who has just swapped the Newcastle Jets for Gamba Osaka, and Queen’s Park Rangers right-back Kealey Adamson headline the new wave. Both bring pace, energy and a willingness to attack – traits Popovic clearly wants against a Brazil side stacked with flair.
Yaya Dukuly, now with Slovenian side Celje, and Brøndby winger Marcus Younis add depth out wide, while Chapman’s selection completes a fresh look in key positions.

There is experience returning too. Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC) are back after missing the World Cup through injury, while Alex Robertson has earned a recall on the back of strong form with Cardiff City.

Brazil test looms as Asian Cup countdown begins

Popovic has been open about the bigger picture. Brazil at home is a marquee occasion, but the real target sits a little further down the road.

“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,” he 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.”

Critical – and brutal. Brazil’s travelling squad is loaded with talent: Vinícius Júnior and Endrick from Real Madrid, Estêvão and João Pedro from Chelsea, Raphinha from Barcelona, plus Premier League and European regulars like Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimarães.

Two games. One of the world’s great footballing nations. A raft of fresh faces in green and gold.

For Popovic, there’s no soft launch to this new era. The next generation gets thrown straight into the fire.

The only question now: who grabs their chance before the Asian Cup window slams shut?

Socceroos squad to face Brazil

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 (Middlesbrough)
Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli)
Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC)
Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Köln)
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 (Brøndby IF)

Brazil squad