Mohamed Touré's Absence Raises Questions for Socceroos Ahead of Türkiye Clash

ALAMEDA, California — The ball rolled, the cones were laid out, boots squeaked on the turf at Oakland Roots and Soul’s training facility. For 15 minutes, the Socceroos went through their paces in front of the cameras.

One player was missing.

Mohamed Touré, expected to spearhead Australia’s attack at this tournament, was nowhere to be seen.

A quiet absentee, a loud question

Every other member of Tony Popovic’s 26-man squad took part in the open portion of Wednesday evening’s session. Touré had arrived with the group, posed for the team photo, and then, as the serious work began, slipped out of view.

When the media window closed and reporters were moved away from the pitch, the mystery only deepened.

Jordan Bos, pushed on the striker’s absence immediately after training, could offer nothing concrete.

"No, I actually don't know," the defender said. "It was actually during training where I noticed he wasn't in there, so I don't know why he wasn't."

The Socceroos’ camp later confirmed through a spokesperson that the Norwich City forward is expected back on the grass on Thursday. The session will be held behind closed doors. No explanation was given for why he missed Wednesday’s work.

So the questions linger, just days out from Australia’s opening Group D clash with Türkiye.

A potential blow to Australia’s plans

Any doubt over Touré’s involvement cuts straight to the heart of Popovic’s game plan. At 22, the Norwich attacker has been widely tipped to lead the line throughout the campaign, his form and physical profile making him a central pillar of Australia’s attacking identity.

"He's a big asset for us, he's been doing really well, and his new club, he's scoring goals and his power -- everything about him -- is great," Bos said, underlining how heavily the squad leans on the young forward’s presence.

Take that focal point away, even temporarily, and the entire structure of the front line shifts.

If Touré cannot go against Türkiye on Saturday, the Socceroos are left with just one recognised, fully fit centre-forward: Tete Yengi.

Yengi’s chance, and the reshuffle waiting in the wings

Yengi, 25, only just stepped onto the international stage, debuting in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland in San Diego. He marked that bow with a 56th-minute equaliser, a timely reminder that he knows where the goal is, even at this level.

It might be his moment sooner than anyone anticipated.

Behind him, Popovic has options, but each comes with a tweak to the team’s usual shape. Nestory Irankunda, used on the wing against the Swiss, has experience playing centrally under Popovic and could be pushed inside if Australia need a more mobile, unpredictable threat up front.

Then there is Mathew Leckie, the veteran who has spent much of his career drifting between roles, often asked to step into central attacking duties when the situation demanded it. Popovic made a point of highlighting that versatility when he named his squad.

"The luxury of Mathew Leckie is that he can play anywhere," the coach said at the time. "He has the experience and maturity that you don't need a week or two of training in a position with him. You can basically show him a video, and he would know what to do."

In a tight turnaround before a major group opener, that kind of plug-and-play reliability suddenly looks invaluable.

Behind closed doors, a key decision

For now, the official line is simple: Touré is expected back in training on Thursday. No alarm, no detail, no drama from inside camp.

Outside, it’s different. With Türkiye looming and the margins in Group D razor-thin, every hint, every absence, every behind-closed-doors session carries weight.

Australia’s attack may yet be built around their powerful young No. 9 as planned.

If not, Saturday in Türkiye could become the night when someone else — Yengi, Irankunda, or the ever-adaptable Leckie — is asked to step into the void and redefine the Socceroos’ campaign before it has even truly begun.