Meet our FIFA World Cup 2026™ Squad - The Midfielders

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
   

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 midfield for the tournament.

Cameron Devlin

Debut: 25/09/22 against New Zealand
Socceroos Cap Number: 625
Appearances (goals): 4 (0)
Major tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2022
Current Club: Hearts, Scotland
Junior Club: Sutherland Sharks (Football NSW)

Cammy Devlin is a midfielder who is always going to give his all.

The 27-year-old from Sydney made his professional debut for Sydney FC in the 2018/19 season. He gained momentum over two seasons for the Wellington Phoenix before moving to Hearts in Scotland in 2021, where the hard-working midfielder has become somewhat of a cult hero in across 130 appearances for the club.

Devlin debuted for the national team in September 2022 in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022™. He did not take the pitch during that tournament and will hope to make his debut on the World Cup stage in 2026.

His work rate in the centre of the park makes him an asset for Head Coach Tony Popovic’s side.

Ajdin Hrustic

Debut: 13/06/17 against Brazil
Socceroos Cap Number: 589
Appearances (goals): 37 (4)
Major tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2022
Current Club: Heracles Almelo, Netherlands
Junior Club: Heatherton United SC (Football VIC)

Ajdin Hrustic enters his second World Cup as someone who can be a game changer for the Socceroos.

The creative midfielder started his career in Melbourne before moving overseas as a youngster, spending time at Nottingham Forest, Austria Wien, and Schalke. He earnmed his professional debut for Dutch side Groningen in 2017. In 2022, during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, he became the first Australian player to win the UEFA Europa League and the first Australian man since Harry Kewell to win a major UEFA competition.

While recent years have been far from smooth sailing in terms of injuries and form, at his best, Hrustic’s technical ability can create opportunities and break open games right when the team needs it. The 29-year-old will no doubt be called upon to provide attacking spark during the tournament.

Jackson Irvine

Debut: 15/10/13 against Canada 
Socceroos Cap Number: 568
Appearances (goals): 81 (14)
Major tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2018, 2022, AFC Asian Cup 2019, 2023
Current Club: St Pauli, Germany
Junior Club: Ringwood City (Football VIC)

Jackson Irvine’s experience and leadership will be vital at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Irvine had his professional breakthrough in Scotland, at clubs including Celtic, Kilmarnock and Ross Country. He is best known at club level for spells at Hull City – representing them over 100 times - and at German side St. Pauli, for whom he is club captain.

Since his debut for the senior national side in 2013, Irvine has been front and centre for the CommBank Socceroos, including scoring a memorable goal against Syria at the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ that qualified the team for the knockouts. 2026 will be his third World Cup and the fifth major tournament for the 33-year-old.

On 28 March 2023, Irvine wore the captain’s armband for a friendly against Ecuador. In doing so, he became the 63rd captain of Australia, and solidified his role as a leader within the group.

Irvine has come into camp fully fit after shaking off injury concerns earlier this season and will play a key role in the team’s success.

Connor Metcalfe

Debut: 07/06/21 against Chinese Taipei 
Socceroos Cap Number: 611
Appearances (goals): 35 (1)
Major tournaments: AFC Asian Cup 2023
Current Club: St Pauli, Germany
Junior Club: South Cardiff FC (Northern NSW Football)

Connor Metcalfe comes into his first FIFA World Cup™ as an established and key member of the Socceroos midfield.

Metcalfe is a product of the Melbourne City academy, moving there in 2014 after growing up in Newcastle. He made his professional debut for the club in 2017, racking up over 70 appearances, before moving to join Jackson Irvine at FC St. Pauli in 2022.

The 26-year-old has shone at both international and club level in recent years. His work rate, as well as his incisive passing ability, make him a key contributor in both attack and defence.

Now entering the prime of his career, Metcalfe is set to shine on the biggest stage of all.

Paul Okon-Engstler

Debut: 14/11/25 against Venezuela 
Socceroos Cap Number: 655
Appearances (goals): 5 (0)
Major tournaments: Debut
Current Club: Sydney FC
Junior Club: Marconi Stallions (Football NSW)

Paul Okon-Engstler is one of the most exciting young prospects in Australian football.

The 21-year-old was a key part of the CommBank Young Socceroos side that won the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2025™ last year. He earned a move to Sydney FC on the back of his performances where he has highly impressed in his first full season of professional football.

The son of 28-time Socceroo Paul Okon, he has turned heads with his vision and creativity from the base of midfield. While he may not feature at the start of games at this World Cup, the youngster can turn games on his own when giving the opportunity, and will hope to make his major tournament debut with the Socceroos in the United States.

Aiden O’Neill

Debut: 24/03/23 against Ecuador 
Socceroos Cap Number: 629
Appearances (goals): 30 (0)
Major tournaments: AFC Asian Cup 2023
Current Club: New York City, USA
Junior Club: University of Queensland Football Club (Football QLD)

Aiden O’Neill has established himself as a hard-working, reliable midfielder in this Socceroos setup.

The 27-year-old grew up in Queensland before moving to England in his teens to pursue a professional career. He signed with Burnley, making appearances in the Premier League, before returning to Australia in 2018/19 with the Central Coast Mariners. It was with Melbourne City where he made his name between 2023 and 2023, earning a move to Standard Liege in Belgium and now New York City FC.

O’Neill debuted against Ecuador in 2023 and was a mainstay in the side during later rounds of FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifying. He started in both crucial games against Japan and Saudi Arabia in an endorsement of how much he is trusted by Head Coach Tony Popovic.

He is set to make his World Cup debut in the United States, where he plays his club football, and will be an important part of the side.

UPCOMING MATCHES

Australia vs Switzerland