Squad Announcement Talking Points: An in-depth look at Australia's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ roster
With Graham Arnold announcing his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, we discuss some of the major talking points that have emerged ahead of the Socceroos’ first match against France in two weeks’ time.
Arnold has selected a squad with a blend of experience and youth with Australia looking to progress to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006.
The Aussies haves been pitted in Group D alongside the aforementioned Les Bleus, Tunisia and Denmark.
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First World Cup call-ups
Seventeen players in the squad have never featured at a FIFA World Cup, with many having all experienced their respective senior international debuts post the 2018 edition. It means there is a great opportunity for players to fulfil a childhood dream and represent their country at the pinnacle event in football.
Penalty shootout hero Andrew Redmayne has been named alongside defenders Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Thomas Deng, Kye Rowles and Joel King.
Midfielders Riley McGree, Ajdin Hrustic, as well as Cameron Devlin and Keanu Baccus, who earned their first Socceroos caps in September, will be vying for their maiden FIFA World Cup appearances.
In attack, Awer Mabil, Mitch Duke, Martin Boyle and Craig Goodwin, who converted a penalty in the dramatic shootout victory over Peru, are all included.
Jason Cummings and Garang Kuol have also been named after impressing with Central Coast Mariners and while on national team duty for the first time in September.
Previous World Cup experience
Two players will be heading to their third FIFA World Cup, while seven players will be going to their second FIFA World Cup.
Mathew Ryan and Mathew Leckie are the only two players in the squad that have featured in all six group games for Australia across the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
Aziz Behich and Aaron Mooy both return for their second consecutive FIFA World Cup, having started and played the full 90 minutes in all three of the Green and Gold’s matches in Russia.
This will also be Jackson Irvine’s second World Cup. Four years ago, the FC St. Pauli midfielder made three substitute appearances against France, Denmark and Peru.
Milos Degenek and Danny Vukovic were both included in the squad for the last World Cup but did not receive any match minutes.
Jamie Maclaren made his way into the final 23-player squad in 2018 but was an unused substitute in all three group matches. The striker has been in scintillating form to begin the new A-League 2022/23 season with seven goals in five matches.
Bailey Wright was previously part of the FIFA World Cup in 2014, though did not make an appearance in Brazil.
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Returning players
Craig Goodwin is back in the fray after missing the September international friendlies through injury but has now made a full recovery and impressed upon his return with Adelaide United.
Stoke City central defender Harry Souttar and Heart of Midlothian centre-back Kye Rowles, are back from knee and foot injuries respectively. Souttar last featured for Australia in November last year against Saudi Arabia, where he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, while Rowles was instrumental during the Socceroos’ play-off matches in June.
Danny Vukovic returns after last being called up for the matches in June.
The Olyroos connection
Similar to the September squad there remains a strong Olyroos flavour with nine players from the Tokyo 2020 Olyroos side in the final 26. Nathaniel Atkinson, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Keanu Baccus, Riley McGree, Joel King, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles all feature, while Mitch Duke was the overage player.
A-Leagues connection
While many members of the squad forged a career in the A-League Men's before moving abroad, Arnold's squad contains seven players currently plying their trade in Australia’s premier football competition.
Central Coast Mariners have three players on their books with Melbourne City boasting two, leaving representatives from Sydney FC and Adelaide United.
Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City) and Danny Vukovic, Jason Cummings and Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners).
Youngest and oldest players
Indeed, having just turned 18 in September, Garang Kuol is by far the youngest member in the squad with the next youngest being Joel King after recently turning 22 and joins the Newcastle United-bound prodigy as the sole players in the squad born this century.
Meanwhile, at 37 Danny Vukovic, is the oldest player in the squad ahead of fellow goalkeeper, 33-year-old Andrew Redmayne. The pair are the only two players born in the 1980s.
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