Socceroos Squad Shake-Up for Brazil Friendlies

Tony Popovic promised change. He’s delivered a shake-up.

The Socceroos boss has swung hard at the old guard, naming seven uncapped players in a 26-man squad to face Brazil in a blockbuster pair of friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month.

Sixteen players from the side that reached the World Cup knockout rounds survive, including headline acts Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati – all fresh from big European moves on the back of their exploits in Canada and the USA.

But the story of this squad is who’s missing, and who’s next.

Ryan axed as new era bites

Mat Ryan, four World Cups, more than 100 caps, and still playing regularly in La Liga with Levante, has been cut completely.

The veteran was dropped from the starting XI during the World Cup. Now he’s out of the squad altogether.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football and a player that has had a distinguished career – continues to have one, over 100 caps,” Popovic told reporters in Brisbane on Friday. “We’d like to have a look at another keeper. We’ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we’ve been in charge.”

Asked how Ryan took the call, Popovic was blunt but respectful.

“No, he’s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that’s why he’s had such a distinguished career. He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”

For now, though, the No.1 shirt is up for grabs.

St Mirren’s Jacob Chapman comes in to join Patrick Beach (Troyes) and Paul Izzo (Randers FC) as the goalkeeping trio, with Chapman effectively stepping into Ryan’s place.

Ryan isn’t alone on the cutting-room floor. Fellow four-time World Cupper Mat Leckie is also omitted, as are depth options Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic.

Injury has ruled out Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, all of whom featured at the World Cup.

Fresh blood and familiar surnames

Popovic flagged “fresh faces” in his first press conference after the World Cup. He hasn’t held back.

Uncapped pair Kasey Bos – younger brother of Jordy – and teenage defender Dylan Leonard, on loan at Alemannia Aachen from Schalke, are brought in after previous exposure in national team camps.

On top of that, five players aged 25 or under earn their first senior call-up.

Gamba Osaka forward Eli Adams, who left the Newcastle Jets for Japan, is one of the eye-catching additions. So is Queen’s Park Rangers right back Kealey Adamson, who adds pace and energy on the flank.

On the wings, Yaya Dukuly, currently with Slovenian PrvaLiga side Celje, and Brøndby’s Marcus Younis bolster the attacking depth. Both are listed among the forwards and give Popovic options out wide around Irankunda and Mohamed Toure.

In midfield, the Socceroos regain some familiar rhythm. Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC) return after missing the World Cup through injury, while Alex Robertson is rewarded for his strong form with Cardiff City.

Popovic made it clear this squad is about more than two glamour friendlies.

“We are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,” he said in a statement.

“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.

“We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”

Brazil bring the star power

If Popovic is testing his next generation, Brazil are bringing the kind of fire that exposes any weakness.

Their squad features a frightening forward line: Endrick and Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid, Estêvão and João Pedro from Chelsea, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Bournemouth’s Rayan. Flamengo duo Pedro and Samuel Lino add more threat in the final third.

At the back, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and PSG captain Marquinhos headline a defence that also includes Manchester City’s Vitor Reis and Roma’s Wesley. Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz and Arsenal’s Bruno Guimarães sit among a powerful engine room, with Andrey Santos listed from Manchester United and a cluster of home-based talents from Corinthians, Santos and Botafogo.

This is no half-hearted touring party. It’s a statement squad.

How the Socceroos line up on paper

Popovic’s 26-man group mixes hardened campaigners with players still finding their feet in Europe and Asia.

• Goalkeepers
• Patrick Beach (Troyes)
• Jacob Chapman (St Mirren)
• Paul Izzo (Randers FC)
• Defenders
• Kealey Adamson (Queen’s Park Rangers)
• Aziz Behich (Melbourne City)
• Kasey Bos (Excelsior Rotterdam, on loan from Mainz 05)
• Alessandro Circati (Benfica)
• Milos Degenek (Apoel FC)
• Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata)
• Lucas Herrington (Hull City)
• Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK)
• Dylan Leonard (Alemannia Aachen, on loan from Schalke)
• Harry Souttar (Leicester City)
• Midfielders
• Jackson Irvine (Cerezo Osaka)
• Riley McGree (Middlesbrough)
• Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli)
• Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC)
• Paul Okon-Engstler (FC Köln)
• Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City)
• Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
• Forwards
• Eli Adams (Gamba Osaka)
• Yaya Dukuly (NK Celje)
• Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP)
• Mohamed Toure (Norwich City)
• Tete Yengi (FC Machida Zelvia)
• Marcus Younis (Brøndby IF)

Brazil’s travelling party

• Goalkeepers
• Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
• Pedro Morisco (Coritiba)
• Otávio (Cruzeiro)
• Defenders
• Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR)
• Douglas Santos (Zenit)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
• Jair (Nottingham Forest)
• Marquinhos (PSG)
• Matheuzinho (Corinthians)
• Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven)
• Vitor Reis (Manchester City)
• Wesley (Roma)
• Midfielders
• Andrey Santos (Manchester United)
• Breno Bidon (Corinthians)
• Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal)
• Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
• Douglas Luiz (Juventus)
• Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)
• Forwards
• Endrick (Real Madrid)
• Estêvão (Chelsea)
• João Pedro (Chelsea)
• Pedro (Flamengo)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Rayan (Bournemouth)
• Samuel Lino (Flamengo)
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Two nights, one big audition

The stage is set.

Game One: Townsville, Friday 25 September, 8pm AEST.

Game Two: Brisbane, Tuesday 29 September, 8pm AEST.

For Popovic, it’s not just about surviving Brazil’s onslaught. It’s about discovering who can stand up to it – and who might carry Australia into the Asian Cup and beyond.