Robertson: It was always Australia

Third generation CommBank Socceroo Alexander Robertson said that playing for his country “means the world” after being selected in the squad for the FIFA Series 2026™.

Robertson has turned heads at club side Cardiff after recovering from a long injury and is excited to take part in his second camp under Head Coach Tony Popovic.

The 22-year-old touched on his recent football journey and his goals for this camp.

Being back in camp

It's been a while since I've actually played a match for the Socceroos. I came into camp in October, which was nice to be back, and see everyone again. And that was my first camp with the new manager and the new staff, and it's really good. I enjoyed it, and just really looking forward to get going this camp.

I got to see his [Popovic’s] side of the way he manages, and his coaching staff in training, in the camp in October. I hadn't played any football. I wasn't playing at club level, but it was really good to meet, a new manager, new staff members, and to have gotten some training under my belt with him and his staff was really good.

[My goals for this camp are] just go into training, do the best I can do, hopefully play, and just do the best I can do always.

Journey since his last camp

I was just very focused and concentrated on my club football. I moved to Cardiff, and after a big injury on my hamstring, and I was just very focused on getting back to my full self and getting as many games under my belt as I could. I've done that, and I've been grateful enough to be selected for this camp and hopefully just get out on that pitch and do the best I can do.

I was in a tough position at my club [in October], and to have been able to come in here and see everyone again, and have that opportunity to train and under the under the new coach and the staff was really good. It was more about getting the games under my belt, physically getting better, getting fitter. Obviously, it's tough when you're not playing. I feel like I've played a lot of games now for club, and it's been good. So I'm just ready to get going again.

Playing for Australia

There was never really any thought to go anywhere else. It was always Australia. I grew up in Australia as a kid. I class myself as being Australian, and I couldn't really think to play for any other country than Australia, even though 

I played for England when I was younger, obviously, because I was over there. It was never anyone else but Australia. I’ve seen a few rumours. It was just paper talk. It was never really anything that crossed my mind.

It would mean the world [to make the World Cup squad] - something I dreamt of as a little kid. Even just playing for Australia, I dreamt of since I was a little kid. I'd never take it for granted. Hopefully I get few more games and just play as much as I can.

Playing under captain Maty Ryan

Maty, he's unreal. His career obviously speaks for itself of how professional he is as a person, as a player, and he's really good to look up to in that sense. He was a big help when I first came in, and I think all the other younger boys will say so. To look at someone like him and the other experienced players as role models is really good to have in this camp.

MATCH DETAILS

CommBank Socceroos v Cameroon

Date: Friday, 27 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: Accor Stadium
Broadcast:  Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster

CommBank Socceroos v Curaçao
Date: Tuesday, 31 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast:  Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketek