Socceroos Squad, Popovic & Group D
Australia FIFA World Cup 2026 guide: Popovic’s Socceroos, captain Mat Ryan, key players, Group D fixtures, tactics, history and predictions.
Australia
The Socceroos · AFC · Group D
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- The Socceroos
- Confederation
- AFC Asian Football Confederation
- FIFA Ranking
- Mid-20s range Typical for Australia in recent years; confirm exact figure on the official FIFA list
- Head Coach
- Tony Popovic Australia; appointed September 2024
- Captain
- Mathew Ryan Goalkeeper; Levante
- World Cup Appearances
- 7 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026
- Best Finish
- Round of 16 2006 and 2022
- Group
- Group D USA, Paraguay, Türkiye
Six consecutive World Cups — back under a familiar face.
The Socceroos return for their sixth consecutive World Cup, qualifying for 2026 under head coach Tony Popovic, who was appointed in September 2024 to replace Graham Arnold. Australia came through a demanding AFC third-round campaign, finishing second in their group behind Japan to claim direct qualification.
Popovic, a former Socceroos defender who featured at the 2006 World Cup, has steadied the side and built around an experienced spine led by long-serving captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
Australia are the great competitors of the World Cup.
Australia are the great competitors of the World Cup — well-organized, physically robust and dangerous on set pieces. The 2022 run to the round of 16, with wins over Denmark and Tunisia, showed the team’s capacity to overachieve. Popovic now blends that battle-tested core with younger talents, including the highly rated forward Nestory Irankunda, creating a side that mixes resilience with emerging flair.
The bar, and the dream
In Group D alongside co-hosts USA, Paraguay and Türkiye, the Socceroos will see a route to the knockout rounds in the expanded format. Matching the 2022 round-of-16 achievement would represent a strong campaign.
The realistic route
They are unlikely to be favorites in any group game but have the organization to grind out results and chase a best-third-place spot if needed.
Popovic’s squad
Likely roles based on recent squads. Confirm against the final 26. Likely starters marked with *.
Goalkeepers
3- Patrick Beach
- Paul Izzo
- Mathew Ryan
Defenders
10- Aziz Behich
- Jordan Bos
- Cameron Burgess
- Alessandro Circati
- Milos Degenek
- Jason Geria
- Lucas Herrington
- Jacob Italiano
- Harry Souttar
- Kai Trewin
Midfielders
6- Cameron Devlin
- Ajdin Hrustic
- Jackson Irvine
- Connor Metcalfe
- Paul Okon-Engstler
- Aiden O'Neill
Forwards
7- Nestory Irankunda
- Mathew Leckie
- Awer Mabil
- Mohamed Toure
- Nishan Velupillay
- Cristian Volpato
- Tete Yengi
★ Likely starters. Full 26-man squad not listed in source — confirm against the official sheet. Club details for several players not available in source.
The names that decide it
Experienced, vocal shot-stopper with over 100 caps. Importance: the leader and last line of defense across multiple World Cups. Fact: has played across the Premier League and Europe and captains the Socceroos.
Towering defender, dominant in the air at both ends. Importance: anchors the back line and is a set-piece threat. Fact: his height makes him a constant aerial menace (confirm current club).
Tireless box-to-box runner. Importance: the midfield engine and leadership figure alongside Ryan. Fact: a key voice in the dressing room.
One of Australia’s final-squad attacking options after switching allegiance from Italy.
Explosive, exciting young attacker. Importance: the team’s potential X-factor and future star, reportedly linked with a Bayern Munich pathway. Fact: one of the most hyped young Australian talents in years.
Veteran Socceroos attacker and part of Australia’s confirmed 2026 squad
Breakout Player
Nestory Irankunda — A dynamic young forward with the pace and trickery to light up the tournament if given minutes. A strong World Cup could make him a household name beyond Australia.
Most Underrated Player
Aziz Behich — The experienced left back does the unglamorous work superbly — defending one-on-one and supporting attacks — and is often overlooked behind the bigger names. His tournament experience is invaluable (confirm club).
Disciplined, compact and dangerous from dead balls and counterattacks.
Popovic’s Socceroos are disciplined and compact, typically setting up in a structured 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 that prioritizes defensive shape and set-piece threat. With Souttar’s aerial presence and Boyle/Goodwin’s wide delivery, Australia are dangerous from dead balls and counterattacks. They press selectively and look to frustrate technically superior opponents.
By the numbers
Attack: Reliant on wide play, set pieces and Irankunda’s spark.
Midfield: Hard-working with Irvine and McGree, short on elite creativity.
Defense: Organized and physical, led by Souttar.
Goalkeeping: Mat Ryan is a genuine strength and leader.
Depth: Capable but reliant on a settled core.
Experience: Multiple World Cup veterans across the spine.
From 1974 to six straight appearances — a tradition built on resilience.
Australia first appeared in 1974. After a long absence, they returned in 2006 (then under the AFC after switching from Oceania) and reached the round of 16, narrowly losing to eventual champions Italy. They qualified again in 2010, 2014 and 2018, exiting in the group stage each time. At Qatar 2022 they reached the round of 16 for the second time, beating Denmark and Tunisia before losing 2–1 to eventual champions Argentina. 2026 is their sixth straight finals appearance.
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1974
World Cup debut
Australia make their first World Cup appearance.
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2006
Round of 16 — first deep run
Returned under the AFC after switching from Oceania; reached the round of 16 and narrowly lost to eventual champions Italy.
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2010–2018
Three consecutive group-stage exits
Qualified for 2010, 2014 and 2018 but exited in the group stage each time.
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2022
Round of 16 again — beat Denmark and Tunisia
Reached the round of 16 for the second time; defeated Denmark and Tunisia before losing 2–1 to eventual champions Argentina.
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2026
Sixth straight finals appearance
Australia return under Tony Popovic, aiming to match or better the 2022 round-of-16 run.
Six straight World Cups, two round-of-16 runs and both ended by the eventual champions
Switched to Asia to ease World Cup access
Australia switched from the Oceania confederation to Asia in 2006, easing their path to regular qualification.
Both last-16 exits came against the eventual champions
Both their round-of-16 exits (2006 and 2022) came against the eventual World Cup champions.
Popovic played at the 2006 World Cup
Coach Tony Popovic played for the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup.
Mat Ryan — 100+ caps
Mat Ryan has earned more than 100 caps for Australia.
Penalty shootout drama on the road to 2022
Australia recorded a famous penalty-shootout qualification drama on the road to 2022.
Irankunda — one of Australia’s most hyped young talents
Nestory Irankunda is among the most hyped teenage talents Australia has produced.
Sixth consecutive World Cup
The Socceroos are now appearing at their sixth consecutive World Cup.
Australia are perennial overachievers who relish underdog status.
- Australia are perennial overachievers who relish underdog status.
- Set-piece drama and gritty, never-say-die performances.
- The emergence of exciting young talent like Irankunda.
- A veteran captain in goal who has seen it all on the biggest stage.
Competitive in Group D — with a realistic shot at the round of 16.
Australia will be organized and competitive in Group D but face an uphill battle against the co-hosts. Reaching the knockout rounds is possible, likely requiring a strong third-place finish or an upset result. Expect them to be hard to beat and to push at least one favored opponent close. A repeat of the 2022 round of 16 would be a major success.
