Seven uncapped players selected in CommBank Socceroos squad for Soccer Ashes

CommBank Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic has named seven uncapped players in the 25-man squad to face New Zealand, starting with next Friday’s Soccer Ashes opener against New Zealand in Canberra.

• READ MORE: Squad Notes: Eight Socceroos return with four players earning maiden call-up
   

Noah Botic (Austria Vienna), Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen), Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth) and Anthony Kalik (Hajduk Split) have received their first senior international call ups.

Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Fran Karacic (Hajduk Split), Tom Glover (Middlesbrough), Max Balard (NAC Breda), Hayden Matthews (Portsmouth) and Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough) have been recalled to the squad, for the CommBank Socceroos first camp since securing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Australia qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time, after the 2-1 win away to Saudi Arabia in June, which followed the famous 1-0 win over Japan in Perth.

The CommBank Socceroos face New Zealand at GIO Stadium on Friday (7:45pm AEST kick-off), before the return leg in Auckland (September 9, 5pm AEST), for the Ashes decider.

CommBank Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic was excited ahead of his first camp, since the successful June FIFA International Window.

“I always had faith and confidence in our ability to not only qualify for the World Cup but continue growing as a team. The players have done an outstanding job in securing World Cup qualification, and now the focus on 2026 begins,” Popovic said.

“We’re in the early stages of this journey, but all our energies are now focused on continuing to drive the elite standards that we aspire to and achieving our best result at a World Cup. We want to do something special and make our nation proud.

“We’re excited to be back in camp for the first time after qualifying for the World Cup and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against another team that’s qualified for the World Cup, in New Zealand.”

This is the first of four FIFA international windows before the Socceroos’ squad is picked for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The FIFA World Cup draw is due to take place in December.

CommBank SOCCEROOS | MATCH SCHEDULE | ASHES SERIES

CommBank Socceroos v New Zealand

Friday, 5 September
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST
Broadcast: 10, 10.com.au and Paramount+ 

New Zealand v CommBank Socceroos

Tuesday, 9 September
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 5.00pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+

COMMBANK SOCCEROOS SQUAD l SEPTEMBER FIFA MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WINDOW