Meet our FIFA World Cup 2026™ Squad - The Forwards

As the CommBank Socceroos prepare to kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign, get to know the squad representing Australia on the biggest stage.

• READ MORE: Meet the Goalkeepers
• READ MORE: Meet the Defenders
• READ MORE: Meet the Midfielders
   

Over the next few days, we will take a closer look at the players selected in each position. Let's take a look at all the different profiles that make up the squad's forwards for the tournament.

Nestory Irankunda

Debut: 06/06/24 against Bangladesh
Socceroos Cap Number: 643
Appearances (goals): 14 (5)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Watford, England
Junior Club: Adelaide Croatia Raiders (Football SA)

Nestory Irankunda has the x-factor that could be the difference at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene in the A-League Men in 2022, where he made headlines for his explosive pace and powerful shooting ability. A move to Bayern Munich followed, where he spent time training with the first team, before a successful season in the EFL Championship with Watford last campaign.

He debuted for the Socceroos in June 2024 before scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Palestine five days later. The goal made him the second youngest goalscorer in Socceroos history, at 18 years and 123 days. He has only gone from strength-to-strength since.

The young South Australian comes into the World Cup in good form, scoring a brace against Curacao in March. He was named as the FIFA Series 2026™ player of the tournament after his efforts across the tournament.

Positive things happen when Irankunda is on the pitch, and Australian fans will be hoping to see the best of him in his first major tournament.

Mathew Leckie

Debut: 14/11/12 against Korea Republic
Socceroos Cap Number: 550
Appearances (goals): 80 (14)
Major tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, 2022, AFC Asian Cup 2015, 2019
Current Club: Melbourne City 
Junior Club: Brimbank Stallions (Football VIC)

Mathew Leckie comes into his fourth World Cup with a well-earned reputation that can be summed up in one word: warrior.

Back in December, it seemed like his World Cup dream was over after requiring surgery on a troublesome hip. He only managed to get on the park for Melbourne City six times. However, he did enough to impress Head Coach Tony Popovic – who called him the “best player on the park” in the elimination final against Auckland FC – to earn his place in the final 26.

Leckie has been a part of iconic Socceroos moments for over a decade since debuting in 2012. He started in the AFC Asian Cup 2015™ final, and was a key part of three World Cups. Nothing exemplified the importance of Leckie to the team more, however, than the goal that he scored against Denmark at Qatar 2022. His first World Cup goal sealed the team’s qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament.

His 80 caps of experience will be essential in the big moments and he remains someone who could make a big impact with the ball at his feet.

Awer Mabil

Debut: 15/10/18 against Kuwait 
Socceroos Cap Number: 597
Appearances (goals): 38 (10)
Major tournaments: AFC Asian Cup 2019, FIFA World Cup 2022
Current Club: CD Castellon, Spain 
Junior Club: Playford City (Football SA)

Awer Mabil never gave up hope on the Socceroos dream – and, after a difficult few seasons at club level, has been rewarded with a call-up to his second World Cup.

Mabil moved to Adelaide as a 10-year-old after spending his early years in a refugee camp in Kenya. A product of the SA NTC and the Adelaide United academy, he spent two seasons with the Reds – winning an Australia Cup (then FFA Cup) trophy in 2014 – before spending seven seasons at Danish side Midtylland, securing a Danish Superliga and Danish Cup in the process.

Injuries and form at club level saw him left out of Socceroos squads from 2024. However, he was recalled for the FIFA Series 2026™, where he immediately impressed, scoring against Curacao in his first start in three years. Now, he has earned a place back in the final 26.

A mentor for others in the squad – particularly for young African Australians – Mabil will be a valued part of the Socceroos World Cup campaign.

Mohamed Toure

Debut: 13/10/23 against England 
Socceroos Cap Number: 636
Appearances (goals): 9 (2)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Norwich City, England 
Junior Club: Croydon Kings (Football SA)

Described as a ‘firecracker’ by his teammates, Mo Toure is ready to light up the world stage in his first major tournament.

The South Australian product debuted for Adelaide United as a 15-year-old and burst onto the scene, his seven goals in 42 games the most goals by any A-League Men’s player under the age of 18. A move overseas to Reims, two years at Danish side Randers, and then a transfer to EFL Championship side Norwich City this season followed.

While his time with Reims earned a Socceroos debut back in 2023, it has been the last 18 months where he has really shone. Strong form with Randers last year earned him a transfer to Norwich City in January where he has 12 goal contributions in 11 games. He also burst onto the scene internationally last year, scoring a brace against New Zealand in the Soccer Ashes.

His form has him in contention to be Australia’s first-choice striker at the World Cup at only 22 years of age – a remarkable feat in his first major tournament for the national team.

Nishan Velupillay

Debut: 10/10/24 against China PR 
Socceroos Cap Number: 645
Appearances (goals): 7 (3)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Melbourne Victory 
Junior Club: Dandenong City (Football VIC)

Nishan Velupillay is a player who has consistently impressed at international level.

The 25-year-old Victorian came through the Melbourne Victory academy and has played over 100 times for his childhood club. Strong form earned him an international call-up in October 2024 and he promptly made an impression on debut, scoring against China seven minutes later.

In March 2025, he scored against both Indonesia and China in World Cup qualifiers and has shone with his work rate, ability on the ball and clinical finishing since.

He will be an important attacking option for the Socceroos in his first major tournament.

Cristian Volpato

Debut: NA
Socceroos Cap Number: NA
Appearances (goals): 0 (0)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Sassuolo, Italy 
Junior Club: Sydney United 58 (Football NSW)

Cristian Volpato receives his first call-up for the national side ready to impress on the international stage.

The 22-year-old was born and raised in Sydney where he spent time with the academies of Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers. He moved to Roma in 2020 and debuted for the first team in December 2021, scoring his first Serie A goal in February 2022. He has since spent three seasons at Sassuolo.

While still a youngster, Volpato has consistently impressed in Italy as a creative midfielder or winger and will add a unique angle in attack to the squad.

Tete Yengi

Debut: NA
Socceroos Cap Number: NA
Appearances (goals): 0 (0)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Machida Zelvia, Japan 
Junior Club: Croydon Kings (Football SA)

Tete Yengi has earned his first call-up after impressing at club level and providing a unique profile up top for the Socceroos.

Another one of a strong South Australian contingent, Yengi had to move to the Newcastle Jets to earn his professional debut in 2020 before heading overseas. Loan spells in Finland and with Northampton Town in EFL League Two followed. In 2024, he moved to Scottish Premiership side Livingston, and this year has been plying his trade in Japan, appearing in the Asian Champions League as well as the J1 League.

Standing at nearly two metres tall, Yengi provides a strong physical presence in attack that will be invaluable in the World Cup.

He is the younger brother of 11-time Socceroo Kusini but now gets the chance to shine in his own right on the biggest stage of them all.

UPCOMING MATCHES

Australia vs Switzerland