Socceroos Announce New Squad for Brazil Friendlies

Tony Popovic promised change. He has delivered it with a thud.

The Socceroos boss has ripped into his first post-World Cup squad, naming seven uncapped players in a 26-man group to face Brazil in a blockbuster pair of friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month.

Sixteen members of the side that reached the knockout rounds in Canada and the USA survive, including headline acts Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati – all of whom landed major European moves on the back of their World Cup performances.

But the story of this squad is who’s missing, and who’s next.

Ryan axed as Chapman steps in

Mat Ryan, the long-time Socceroos captain and four-time World Cup goalkeeper, has been cut altogether. Dropped from the starting XI during the tournament, he now finds himself out of the squad despite regular minutes in La Liga with Levante.

Popovic was blunt but respectful when asked to explain the call.

“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,” he 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.”

Ryan’s reaction?

“No, he’s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that’s why he’s had such a distinguished career,” Popovic said. “He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”

In his place, St Mirren’s Jacob Chapman gets the call, joining Patrick Beach (Troyes) and Paul Izzo (Randers FC) in the goalkeeping group.

Ryan is not alone on the cutting-room floor. Fellow four-time World Cup veteran Mat Leckie also misses out, along with squad options Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.

Injuries open door for new blood

The casualty list from the World Cup campaign is significant. Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess are all unavailable through injury.

Their absence has helped accelerate a generational shift.

Uncapped Kasey Bos – younger brother of Jordy – and teenager Dylan Leonard return to the national-team frame after previous camp involvement. 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 earn their first Socceroos call-up.

Forward Eli Adams, fresh from a move to Gamba Osaka from the Newcastle Jets, and Queen’s Park Rangers right-back Kealey Adamson headline that group as genuine long-term prospects. On the wings, Yaya Dukuly (Celje in Slovenia) and Marcus Younis (Brøndby IF) add fresh pace and depth.

Core intact, but eyes on 2027

Popovic has not torn up everything. The spine that carried Australia to the last 16 remains.

Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Lucas Herrington and Alessandro Circati anchor a defence that blends World Cup experience with emerging European-based talent. In midfield, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill and Okon-Engstler stay on, while Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek return after missing the World Cup through injury.

Alex Robertson is back as well, rewarded for his form at Cardiff City.

For Popovic, the Brazil friendlies are less about nostalgia and more about the next cycle.

“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.”

Two games. Four nights. Little room for error.

Brazil bring the star power

Waiting on the other side is a Brazil squad stacked with talent from Europe’s elite.

Real Madrid duo Endrick and Vinícius Júnior, Chelsea pair Estêvão and João Pedro, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães, PSG’s Marquinhos and Barcelona winger Raphinha headline a group that mixes established stars with frighteningly gifted youngsters.

They’ll be joined by the likes of Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Bruno Guimarães (listed with Arsenal), Andrey Santos (Manchester United), and a defensive unit that includes Manchester City’s Vitor Reis and Nottingham Forest’s Jair.

For Australia’s new generation, there are no gentle introductions here. This is the deep end.

Fixtures locked in

The Socceroos and Brazil will meet twice:

• Game One – Townsville – Friday 25 September, 8pm AEST
• Game Two – Brisbane – Tuesday 29 September, 8pm AEST

By the time Brazil leave Brisbane, Popovic will be a lot clearer on who belongs in his next great Socceroos side – and who doesn’t.

Socceroos squad vs 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 vs Socceroos

Goalkeepers

• Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
• Pedro Morisco (Coritiba)
• Otávio (Cruzeiro)

Defenders

• Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR)
• Douglas Santos (Zenit)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
• Jair (Nottingham Forest)
• Marquinhos (PSG)
• Matheuzinho (Corinthians)
• Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven)
• Vitor Reis (Manchester City)
• Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders

• Andrey Santos (Manchester United)
• Breno Bidon (Corinthians)
• Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal)
• Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
• Douglas Luiz (Juventus)
• Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)

Forwards

• Endrick (Real Madrid)
• Estêvão (Chelsea)
• João Pedro (Chelsea)
• Pedro (Flamengo)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Rayan (Bournemouth)
• Samuel Lino (Flamengo)
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Australia wanted a test for its new era. Brazil will give them the harshest kind.