Joeys set for Canberra camp as Brazil build-up continues

Thirty talented teens will convene in Canberra next week as Australia’s Joeys continue to prepare for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in Brazil.

Between July 11 and 18, Head Coach Trevor Morgan and his staff will train the squad at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) as the youngsters aim to put their best foot forward for selection in Australia’s squad for this year’s tournament.  

On the first evening of camp the Joeys will also find out who they will face in the Group Stage in Brazil in October and November, as the draw is conducted at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. 

Of the thirty players selected by Morgan for the upcoming camp, twenty are currently aligned to Hyundai A-League clubs, four are signed to National Premier Leagues (NPL) outfits, while six will arrive from overseas clubs. 

While Morgan and his staff have been busy monitoring players at home and abroad in person and online, this is the first time that the group has assembled since March’s tour to Turkey, where the Joeys faced the host nation, as well as African nations Tanzania and Guinea in Antalya. 

“As we continue to build depth and unearth new talent for the Joeys, this camp will offer a great chance for some new players to show what they can contribute to our campaign for Brazil,” Morgan explained.

“Right now the focus is on us, preparing to play with confidence in our own ability and with a positive team mentality. In camp we will reinforce key themes that are central to our identity.

“We will also see the World Cup draw next week, know our group and begin analysing how our strengths can threaten our opponents.

“This group of players has been evolving over the last two years and they have earned the right to play in a World Cup. Their actions give the staff a strong belief that they will represent Australia in the way we like to see our teams both on and off the pitch,” he said.

The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held between October 26 and November 17 in Brazil, with 24 nations from six confederations divided into six groups of four. 

The Joeys will have another overseas tour inclusive of friendly matches prior to this year’s World Cup, and will also have a pre-FIFA U-17 World Cup training camp in South America prior to kick-off in the tournament.

Joeys 30-Player Squad | Training Camp (11-18 July 2019) | Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia