Youth, wildcards and a banned pasta sauce: What you need to know about the Socceroos

Vancouver: Was your last Socceroos match that heartbreaking early Sunday morning defeat three years ago when Australia lost 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina? Or maybe you’ve fallen in love with the sport more recently thanks to the Matildas’ 2023 World Cup run on home soil?

Here’s a quick rundown on what you need to know about the Australian football team ahead of the game against Turkey at 2pm today.

The captain

This will be Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan’s fourth World Cup, meaning he and teammate Mathew Leckie will equal a record held by former teammates Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan for most tournament appearances. Born in Plumpton in western Sydney, Ryan’s been the national team’s shot-stopper for more than a decade, played every game of Australia’s victorious 2015 Asian Cup, but was dramatically dropped from side when Tony Popovic took charge in October 2024. Popovic’s decision came because he was not getting regular game time with Italian Serie A side Roma, so the goalkeeper moved to La Liga club Levante UD, where he starred this season.

The coach

Popovic is set to become the first Australian to play for and coach the national team at the World Cup – a fact he’s well aware of. “I get reminded of this quite often,” says the man affectionately known as “Poppa”.

An uncompromising defender in his playing days in England with Crystal Palace, the 52-year-old was part of Australia’s Golden Generation that ended the nation’s World Cup drought by qualifying for the 2006 tournament.

He was the inaugural coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers, leading the club to win the AFC Champions League – the first and only Australian side to do so – and bounced around at other A-League clubs, had two very short stints in Europe, before becoming Socceroos coach in 2024 and rescuing Australia’s qualifying campaign as they went on an undefeated run. Meticulous, he’s also known for his hardline methods (he’s banned pasta sauce and lollies from the Socceroos camp). He’s been given a vote of confidence with his contract just extended until next year’s Asian Cup.

The gun

Jordy Bos is arguably Australia’s best and most in-form player going into this tournament. Born in Melbourne’s western suburbs, he helped Melbourne City win two A-League titles before jetting off and having a career in Europe. He plays for Dutch heavyweights Feyenoord, who until recently was managed by former Arsenal and Manchester United player Robin van Persie. Bos might not stick around much longer either – his representatives have been in England, laying the groundwork with Premier League clubs for future transfer discussions. He is very much a modern, explosive wing back known for his pace and flair – expect him to pose a threat to opposition defences this tournament.

The veteran

If you were watching the Socceroos in Qatar in 2022, it was Mathew Leckie who scored that famous solo goal against Denmark to give Australia a 1-0 win and take the side into the round of 16 for just the second time. Leckie will make his fourth World Cup appearance, although it was no sure thing – he only managed six games for Melbourne City last season after undergoing hip surgery, but at 35-year-old the attacker did enough to convince Popovic he deserves his place in the team.

The ones to watch

This Australian team is bursting with young, raw talent. There is a feeling that the nucleus of this 26-squad will go on to represent the Socceroos at the next two World Cups – with eight players aged 23 or under and 17 playing at their first tournament this time round. Nestory Irankunda, 20, is the ultimate wildcard, known for his power, pace and ability to score long-range “bangers”.

Mo Toure, 22, has just come off a breakout season with English side Norwich City where he scored 10 goals in 12 games. Then there is the prodigal son, Cristian Volpato, who was born in Sydney, represented Italy as a youth, but made an 11th-hour decision to switch allegiances to the Socceroos only days before the squad was announced. In defence, Lucas Herrington, at 18 years old, is the youngest Socceroo at this World Cup and the 11th youngest in the tournament. He’s been playing in North America with MLS side Colorado Rapids, has barely put a foot wrong in his four Socceroos appearances so far and has caught the attention of footballing giants Barcelona FC.