Ultimate Guide: Get to know your 27-man September Socceroos squad
Australia's squad for September's Round 3 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been revealed - containing a host of familiar faces, returning stars and potential debutants.
As the squad assemble in Doha ahead of their opening fixture against China on September 2 (September 3 AEST), here is your chance to get to know every single Socceroo who could be involved.
Goalkeepers
Maty Ryan
Socceroo Cap Number: 555
Caps: 61
Club: Real Sociedad (Spain)
The Socceroos goalkeeper faces a race against time to be fit for September's action.
After starting two of Australia's June qualifiers, Ryan sealed a move back to La Liga with Real Sociedad - where he unfortunately suffered a knee injury requiring surgery in pre-season training.
The shot stopper made clear his intentions to be fit in time for the upcoming qualifiers, and as such has been named in the squad with his sights set on appearing between the sticks for the Socceroos again.
Danny Vukovic
Socceroo Cap Number: 595
Caps: 4
Club: NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands)
It has been a busy few months for Vukovic, who returned to the international arena for the Socceroos against Chinese Taipei in June.
Entering the FIFA window without a club following his departure from KRC Genk, the goalkeeper soon sealed a move to Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen.
Lawrence Thomas
Socceroo Cap Number: 613
Caps: 1
Club: SønderjyskE (Denmark)
Currently plying his trade with Danish Superligaen side SønderjyskE, Thomas was one of seven previously-uncapped players who made their international debut in June.
Playing week in, week out in Denmark, the goalkeeper will be looking to add to his single international cap moving forward.
Paul Izzo
Socceroos Cap Number: Uncapped
Club: Xanthi FC (Greece)
One of three uncapped players in September's squad, former Adelaide United goalkeeper Paul Izzo will enjoy his first call-up to Socceroos camp.
After making his name in the A-League, Izzo last year sealed a transfer to Greek club Xanthi FC under then-coach Tony Popovic.
Defenders
Harry Souttar
Socceroo Cap Number: 606
Caps (Goals): 5 (6)
Club: Stoke City (England)
Harry Souttar continues to go from strength to strength in Green and Gold.
The Stoke City centre-back grew his international tally to six goals in five internationals following June's action, before going on to impress in the heart of defence for the Olyroos at Tokyo 2020.
At only 22 years old, he enters this camp on the back of an impressive start to the season with the Potters in the English Championship - earning back-to-back Man of the Match awards upon his return.
Trent Sainsbury
Socceroo Cap Number: 574
Caps (Goals): 50 (4)
Club: KV Kortrijk (Belgium)
One of the Socceroos’ most dependable centre backs is back after he scored his fourth international goal and brought up a half century of caps in June.
Some of Sainsbury’s best performances have come in the Green and Gold, and he is set to enter camp with confidence high after building up some more game time in Belgium.
Milos Degenek
Socceroo Cap Number: 585
Caps (Goals): 32 (1)
Club: Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Degenek has become a force to be reckoned with in the Serbian SuperLiga and that kind of form has translated into his many Socceroos appearances down the years.
His tireless work ethic will once again see him seamlessly slot into the squad ahead of their first match on September 2.
Aziz Behich
Socceroo Cap Number: 547
Caps (Goals): 41 (2)
Club: Girensunspor (Turkey)
Behich continues to hold his own at fullback both for the Socceroos, and at club level in Turkey.
Days after officially signing for Girensunspor, the defender enters September's camp off the back of three more strong showings in Green and Gold - including an outstanding assist for Mathew Leckie's header that kick started the Socceroos' return.
Rhyan Grant
Socceroo Cap Number: 600
Caps: 14
Club: Sydney FC (Australia)
Sydney FC stalwart, Rhyan Grant, is back in the Socceroos set after yet another profitable campaign in the A-League, which saw his side finish runners-up.
Grant will again pull on the Green and Gold under Graham Arnold, after making two appearances in June.
Brad Smith
Socceroo Cap Number: 575
Caps: 22
Club: Seattle Sounders (USA)
After being named in June's squad but withdrawing after picking up a knock, September is Brad Smith's opportunity to pull on the Green and Gold again.
The former Liverpool defender has enjoyed dream start to the season with the Seattle Sounders, with his opening month of action seeing him score three times and appear in two MLS team of the weeks.
Ryan McGowan
Socceroo Cap Number: 546
Caps (Goals): 21
Club: Kuwait SC (Kuwait)
Having not represented the Socceroos since 2017, Ryan McGowan was 'thrown in the deep end' against Kuwait in June, when he started for the Socceroos just days after arriving in camp.
The dependable defender has since returned to the location of his most recent international appearance, sealing a move to Kuwait SC.
Callum Elder
Socceroos Cap Number: Uncapped
Club: Hull City (England)
Another of the three potential debutants called up to the squad, Callum Elder's opportunity arrives after a strong few years at club level.
The left-back, formerly of Leicester City, starred for Hull City last season as they secured promotion to the Championship - earning a place in the League One Team of the Season.
Ryan Strain
Socceroos Cap Number: Uncapped
Club: Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
On the other flank, right back Ryan Strain is set for his maiden senior call-up, just weeks after beginning his season with new club Maccabi Haifa.
The energetic full-back, who has also previously been called up for the Australia U-23's and Young Socceroos, made his name in the A-League with Adelaide United before securing an exciting move to Israel.
Bailey Wright
Socceroos Cap Number: 576
Caps (goals): 24 (1)
Club: Sunderland AFC (England)
A familiar face returning to the Socceroos squad, Sunderland's Bailey Wright is back involved to fill in wherever required across the backline.
The defender returns to the fold after missing out on June's squad following the birth of his daughter, Koa.
READ MORE: They're back - the Socceroos returning in September
Midfielders
Jackson Irvine
Socceroo Cap Number: 568
Caps (Goals): 37 (6)
Club: FC St. Pauli (Germany)
No Socceroo was involved in more goals during Australia's eight wins from eight in qualifying so far than Jackson Irvine.
The midfielder has continued to grow in a Green and Gold shirt, and after signing with German club FC St Pauli, returns to pick up where he left off last time out.
Kenny Dougall
Socceroos Cap Number: 603
Caps: 3
Club: Blackpool FC (England)
In an unforgettable week, Kenny Dougall fired a brace at Wembley to secure promotion for Blackpool before jetting off to the Middle East and making his Socceroos debut against Kuwait.
Now plying his trade in the Championship - where he will come up against plenty of fellow Socceroos - Dougall is back in camp and ready to continue making an impression.
Ajdin Hrustic
Socceroo Cap Number: 589
Caps: 7 (1)
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
Ajdin Hrustic stole the show on starting debut in June, registering a stunning goal and assist as the Socceroos defeated Kuwait.
As he continues to build his name in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, September provides the opportunity for him to continue doing exactly that in Green and Gold.
Riley McGree
Socceroos Cap Number: 609
Caps: 3
Club: Birmingham City (England)
Fresh off his Socceroos debut in June and Olympic journey in July, Riley McGree is back in Green and Gold.
After appearing back in the English Championship with Birmingham City, McGree will re-enter camp with plenty of valuable experience under his belt.
Denis Genreau
Socceroos Cap Number: 610
Caps: 1
Club: Macarthur FC (Australia)
Another recent debutant and Olympian, Denis Genreau's last few months took another turn when he secured a move to French club Toulouse FC.
As he begins to adjust to his new surroundings in the nation of his birth, the former Macarthur FC midfielder will look to continue chipping in for the Socceroos.
Aaron Mooy
Socceroos Cap Number: 558
Caps: 43 (6)
Club: Shanghai Port FC (China)
A Socceroo who needs no introduction, Aaron Mooy is back.
The former Brighton and Huddersfield midfielder was unavailable for June's window due to personal reasons, but is back on board heading into round 3.
Just in case his outstanding ball-playing ability was not enough, his experience playing in the Chinese Super League is sure to come in handy when the Socceroos take on China.
Tom Rogic
Socceroos Cap Number: 548
Caps: 47 (9)
Club: Celtic FC (Scotland)
One of the most creative and technical players Australia has produced, Rogic is now consistently delivering on the ability that has been evident from his attention-grabbing first season with Central Coast Mariners.
Rogic has represented the Socceroos at a Confederations Cup, FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup, where he has proven time and time again that he is capable of springing up a moment of magic when the side need it.
After a difficult period with injuries, which impacted his involvement in June's qualifiers, Rogic has enjoyed a renaissance of form and game time under former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, and enters Australia’s final step of FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying in red-hot form.
James Jeggo
Socceroos Cap Number: 601
Caps: 5
Club: Aris Thessaloniki FC (Greece)
After missing out on June's action due to injury, Jimmy Jeggo is back fit and ready to add to his five international caps.
Since making his Socceroos debut in 2018, the midfielder has gone from strength to strength, playing his club football in Austria and Greece.
Forwards
Adam Taggart
Socceroo Cap Number: 553
Caps (Goals): 12 (6)
Club: Cerezo Osaka (Japan)
After a disjointed few months surrounding his transfer to J.League outfit Cerezo Osaka and various injuries, Adam Taggart has quietly been building up form heading into September's qualifiers.
The striker scored his first league goal for Cerezo a couple of weeks ago and after appearing once off the bench for the Socceroos in June, will be ready to contribute as much as possible this window.
Martin Boyle
Socceroo Cap Number: 599
Caps (Goals): 7 (3)
Club: Hibernian (Scotland)
Martin Boyle is one of the in-form Socceroos heading into September.
After scoring for Australia against Nepal in June, he returned to Hibernian and scored in their first pre-season friendly against Arsenal - which proved to be a sign of things to come.
With six goals in all competitions to his name already this campaign, and a new contract signed, Boyle will pull on the Green and Gold with his confidence sky high.
Awer Mabil
Socceroo Cap Number: 597
Caps (Goals): 17 (4)
Club: FC Midtylland (Denmark)
Awer Mabil returns in Green and Gold after a strong start to the season with FC Mitdjylland.
The Socceroos forward found the back of the net against Tom Rogic's Celtic in a Champions League Qualifier earlier this month, and his pace and precision out wide will serve as a valuable asset for the national team squad yet again.
Mitchell Duke
Socceroos Cap Number: 559
Caps (Goals): 9 (4)
Club: Fagiano Okayama (Japan)
Duke will once again be back in Socceroos camp after leading the Olyroos into battle at Tokyo 2020, serving as the squad's sole overage player.
The striker has remained in Japan since, signing for Fagiano Okayama where he has already found the back of the net.
After scoring a second-half brace against Chinese Taipei in June, Duke will be looking to return to the scoresheet in September.
Daniel Arzani
Socceroos cap number: 596
Caps (Goals): 6 (1)
Club: Lommel SK (Belgium)
Following on from his impressive performances for the Olyroos at Tokyo 2020, Daniel Arzani is back in Socceroos camp.
After bursting onto the scene during the World Cup year of 2018, the technical winger has endured a tough time at club level.
But he is slowly but surely gathering some serious game time and momentum, aided by a recent loan move to Belgian outfit Lommel, and is back on the path to fulfilling his immense potential.
