Brisbane Roar signing James McGarry has earned a recall to the New Zealand squad to face the Subway Socceroos next month and he is one of nine Isuzu UTE A-League stars selected.
The All Whites are set to meet trans-Tasman rivals Australia for the Soccer Ashes trophy across two fixtures in Canberra on September 5 and Auckland on September 9.
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McGarry is back in the international mix for the first time in two years after being named among the 23-player squad by head coach Darren Bazeley, who has also selected Auckland FC’s Francis De Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and new goalkeeper Oli Sail as well as Wellington Phoenix pair Tim Payne and Alex Rufer and Western Sydney Wanderers star Kosta Barbarouses.
The 27-year-old McGarry – an A-Leagues champion with Central Coast Mariners – is back in the competition after joining the Roar from Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen and has settled in seamlessly under new boss Michael Valkanis as Brisbane prepare for season 2025-26.
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“It’s been a great start at the Roar so far. The environment at the club is first class and the pre-season fixtures we’ve been playing have allowed us to gel as a team ahead of the new season,” McGarry said via the Roar.
“Michael and the coaching staff have allowed me to continue playing my best football in Brisbane and as a result of this am honoured to get the call-up to represent New Zealand next month.”
The nine Isuzu UTE A-League players come from four different clubs:
Auckland FC: Francis De Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and Oli Sail
Brisbane Roar: James McGarry
Wellington Phoenix: Tim Payne, Alex Rufer
Western Sydney Wanderers: Kosta Barbarouses
“Playing Australia is always a big deal but to be able to compete for a trophy, with one game at home, is massive,” said Bazeley.
“We want to go out and put in two strong performances to build on the success of the last window and continue our momentum heading into the FIFA World Cup next year.”
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New Zealand’s squad to face the Socceroos
Kosta Barbarouses (69 caps/9 goals) Western Sydney Wanderers
Joe Bell (26/1) Viking FK
Tyler Bindon (17/3) Sheffield United (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (57/1) Minnesota United
Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC
Max Crocombe (17/0) Millwall
Francis De Vries (11/1) Auckland FC
Callan Elliot (5/0) Auckland FC
Elijah Just (36/8) Motherwell
Callum McCowatt (24/4) Silkeborg IF
James McGarry (1/0) Brisbane Roar
Ben Old (14/1) AS Saint Etienne
Alex Paulsen (3/0) AFC Bournemouth
Tim Payne (43/3) Wellington Phoenix
Jesse Randall (4/1) Auckland FC
Logan Rogerson (15/2) Auckland FC
Alex Rufer (21/0) Wellington Phoenix
Oli Sail (9/0) Auckland FC
Sarpreet Singh (20/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola
Marko Stamenić (31/3) Nottingham Forest
Finn Surman (9/1) Portland Timbers
Ryan Thomas (19/3) PEC Zwolle
Chris Wood (84/44) Nottingham Forest
