Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic has named a 26-player squad for March’s FIFA World Cup Third Round Qualifiers against Indonesia and China, with four players rewarded with maiden call-ups.
Australia’s qualification for the World Cup remains in their own hands. The Socceroos are sitting second in Group C after two draws in the November window, with four games in total remaining in the Third Round Qualifiers phase.
There are ten changes from the final squad in November. Nectarios Triantis, Kai Trewin, Alex Grant and Ryan Teague have been called up for the first time, while Jason Davidson, Adam Taggart, Marco Tilio, Daniel Arzani and Fran Karačić return to the squad, as does the uncapped Tom Glover.
Here are the headlines from the latest Australian Men’s National Team squad announcement.
First call-ups
21-year-old Nectarios Triantis receives his first Socceroos call-up on the back of consistent excellence for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.
After winning the A-League Men championship with the Central Coast Mariners in 2022/23, Triantis signed for Sunderland in England. He moved to Hibs on loan at the beginning of 2024 where he has spent the last season and a half.
The defensive midfielder has always been able to control the centre of the park, but he has added goals to his game in recent months, scoring three in the Scottish Premier League since late December.
Triantis continues to rapidly improve his game and will add depth to the centre of the Socceroos midfield.
Another youngster called up for the first time is 23-year-old Kai Trewin. Trewin has been selected after being at the heart of the equal-best defence in the A-League Men with Melbourne City.
Canberra born Trewin started his professional career at Brisbane Roar, appearing over 100 times in orange across five seasons. He made the move down south to Melbourne City at the beginning of this season.
Trewin has previously represented Australia at U20 and U23 levels. His composure and talent on the ball, as well as off it, will prove a valuable asset to the Socceroos.
Ryan Teague’s career has taken him from Sydney, to Portugal, to Melbourne Victory, and now to the Socceroos as the 23-year-old receives his first call-up.
The defensive midfielder captained the Joeys during the FIFA U17 World Cup 2019™, when the team reached the Round of 16. Since re-joining the A-League Men with Victory in 2023 he has played consistent football, winning 58.4% of his duels; scoring three goals; and creating more than one chance per 90.
He has represented Australia at U23 and U20 levels, as well as the U17s, and will hope to add a senior cap to his resume in the upcoming window.
Experienced defender Alex Grant comes into the squad for the first time to shore up the defensive options in the squad.
Grant was born in England but raised in Western Australia, and chose to represent the green and gold at youth level. He started his career in England for clubs including Portsmouth, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town before coming home to play for Perth Glory between 2015 and 2020.
He recently signed for Sydney FC after playing club football in South Korea and China, with his calm and composure at the back helping steer his side to the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals on Thursday night.
Returning Players
Jason Davidson returns to the Socceroos after last making an appearance in 2022. A member of the triumphant AFC Asian Cup 2015™ squad, the left-back will add experience and defensive depth to the team. Since departing Melbourne Victory in 2022 he played two seasons for K.A.S Eupen in Belgium, and currently plies his trade for Panserraikos in Greece.
Also in line to make a national team appearance for the first time since 2022 is Fran Karačić. The 28-year-old departed Serie B team Brescia in 2023 and currently plays for Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia’s top division. He is a tireless right-back whose experience with the Socceroos includes being a part of the FIFA World Cup 2022™. His one goal for the national team came against Nepal in 2021.
Adam Taggart has been rewarded for scintillating form in the new year, scoring six goals since January in a Perth team where goals have been relatively hard to find. The 31-year-old has always been a consistent performer in the A-League Men and last season was the first player in A-League history to win the golden boot in a team that finished last. His ability to find the net at important times will be called upon for the Socceroos in this window.
Youngster Marco Tilio returns to the Socceroos set-up after overcoming a hamstring injury that kept him out of club football for two-and-a-half months. The Melbourne City attacker – on loan from Celtic – has returned in top form, scoring two goals and giving defenders across the league a lot to think about with his ability on the ball. Tilio will be called upon to help provide a creative spark in the final third.
Daniel Arzani also returns to the fray, having missed November's camp. The tricky winger, who currently has seven caps and one goal for his country, is back after several strong performances with Melbourne Victory. With Victory this season, the 26-year-old has one goal and three assists while creating 32 chances for his teammates.
Potential Debutants
As well as the players who have been called up for the first time, two goalkeepers will debut for the Socceroos if called upon in this window.
Paul Izzo is set to take part in his fifth consecutive Socceroos camp. The 30-year-old currently plays for Randers in Denmark after previously impressing in the A-League Men for Adelaide United, the Central Coast Mariners, and most recently Melbourne Victory.
Meanwhile, Tom Glover has been recalled to the side after making seven appearances for Middlesborough in the English Championship this season. The 27-year-old made a name for himself in the A-League Men with Melbourne City and will be hoping to appear for the Socceroos for the first time in this window.
MATCH DETAILS:
Subway Socceroos v Indonesia
Thursday, 20 March 2025
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: Available via Ticketek
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
China PR v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+