Seventeen of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s most talented rising stars have been selected in the CommBank Young Socceroos squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Young Socceroos head coach Trevor Morgan has named his 23-man squad for the showpiece event in South America, which gets underway on September 27.
The Young Socceroos booked their spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup care of their historic AFC U20 Asian Cup triumph earlier this year and have now been drawn against international heavyweights Italy and Argentina in Group D as well as Cuba.
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Adelaide United quartet Luka Jovanovic, Pangiotis Kikianis, Jonny Yull and Fabian Talladira have all kept their places as has new Newcastle Jets attacking midfielder Alex Badolato after he was named tournament MVP in China.
Moving to Sydney FC on a three-year deal during the off-season captain Paul Okon-Engstler joins Sky Blues Tiago Quintal and fellow new signing Rhys Youlley in the squad while Brisbane Roar’s Lucas Herrington and Nathan Amanitidis are also included.
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Melbourne Victory have three players called up for the pre-camp with Josh Inserra, off-season signing Sebastian Esposito and goalkeeper Daniel Graskoski all named while Melbourne City striker Max Caputo is joined in the travelling party by new City signing Liam Bonetig.
Completing the Isuzu UTE A-League contingent heading to South America will be Perth Glory defender Zach Lisolajski and Macarthur Bulls goalkeeper Alexander Robinson.
The 17 Isuzu UTE A-League-based players selected for FIFA U20 World Cup:
Adelaide United: Luka Jovanovic, Pangiotis Kikianis, Jonny Yull, Fabian Talladira
Brisbane Roar: Lucas Herrington, Nathan Amanitidis
Macarthur Bulls: Alexander Robinson
Melbourne City: Max Caputo, Liam Bonetig
Melbourne Victory: Josh Inserra, Sebastian Esposito, Daniel Graskoski
Newcastle Jets: Alex Badolato
Perth Glory: Zach Lisolajski
Sydney FC: Paul Okon-Engstler, Rhys Youlley, Tiago Quintal
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“This group of players have shown a great desire to represent Australia from our first match in June 2023,” said Morgan.
“We have built a great deal of self-confidence through the experiences gained in multiple tournaments along the way and we have a great belief and culture within this squad.
“Winning the Asian Cup was crucial for the team as it allowed the group to do two key things.
He added: “The team has the chance to compete at a World Cup and play the very best from around the world in the under 20 age bracket and it has raised the team’s expectations of the performances they can deliver.
“We are looking forward to assembling the group in camp and working hard together to prepare for what is an amazing opportunity for the playing group and the entire team.”
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When it comes to the overseas contingent joining up with the Young Socceroos Morgan has called up Manchester United defender James Overy, who recently played in U18
Friendship Cup in Switzerland, while midfielder Louis Agosti will leave Italian side SSD Dolomiti Bellunesi to link-up with his teammates.
Macarthur Bulls trio Oliver Randazzo, Frans Deli and Dean Bosnjak have not been selected in the squad whilst Sydney FC goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot, Melbourne City forward Medin Memeti and Perth Glory’s Adam Bugarija will also miss out.
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Staying loyal to the squad which defeated Saudi Arabia 5-4 on penalties to clinch the Asian Cup title back in March, overall Morgan has selected 17 of the players who brought the trophy back to Australia earlier this year.
However Morgan will be forced to omit two players before the tournament begins, with the overall squad size limited to just 21-players.
MATCH SCHEDULE – FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP CHILE 2025
Italy v Australia
Date: Sunday, 28 September 2025 / Monday, 29 September 2025 (AUS)
Time: 5.00pm (local) / 6.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile
Argentina v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2025 / Thursday, 2 October 2025 (AUS)
Time: 8.00pm (local) / 9.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile
Australia v Cuba
Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025 / Sunday, 5 October 2025 (AUS)
Time: 8.00pm (local) / 10.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, Chile
COMMBANK YOUNG SOCCEROOS 23-MAN SQUAD
| NAME | POSITION | CURRENT CLUB | JUNIOR CLUB/MEMBER FED/COUNTRY |
| Louis AGOSTI | Midfielder | SSD Dolomiti Bellunesi, Italy | Five Dock FC / Football NSW |
| Nathan AMANITIDIS | Forward | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | West Adelaide SC / Football SA |
| Alexander BADOLATO | Midfielder | Newcastle Jets FC, Australia | Sylvania Heights FC / Football NSW |
| Daniel BENNIE | Midfielder | Queens Park Rangers FC, England | Shellharbour Junior FC / Football NSW |
| Liam BONETIG | Defender | MMelbourne City FC, Australia | Shellharbour Junior FC / Football NSW |
| Max CAPUTO | Forward | Melbourne City FC, Australia | St Essendon Royals SC / Football VIC |
| Sebastian ESPOSITO | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | Brunswick City SC / Football VIC |
| Daniel GRASKOSKI | Goalkeeper | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | Northcote City FC / Football VIC |
| Steven HALL | Goalkeeper | Brighton & Hove Albion FC, England | Para Hills Junior SC / Football SA |
| Lucas HERRINGTON | Defender | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Toowong FC / Football QLD |
| Joshua INSERRA | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia | Fawkner SC / Football VIC |
| Luka JOVANOVIC | Forward | Adelaide United FC, Australia | Fk Beograd / Football SA |
| Panagiotis KIKIANIS | Defender | Perth Glory, Australia | Fulham United FC / Football SA |
| Zach LISOLAJSKI | Defender | Perth Glory, Australia | Sydenham Park SC / Football VIC |
| Paul OKON-ENGSTLER | Midfielder | Sydney FC, Australia | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
| James OVERY | Defender | Manchester United FC, England | Joondalup City FC / Football West |
| Jaylan PEARMAN | Midfielder | Queens Park Rangers FC, England | Sorrento FC / Football West |
| Tiago QUINTAL | Forward | Sydney FC, Australia | Baulkham Hills FC / Football NSW |
| Alexander ROBINSON | Goalkeeper | Macarthur Bulls, Australia | Adelaide City FC / Football SA |
| Fabian TALLADIRA | Defender | Adelaide United FC, Australia | Adelaide City FC / Football SA |
| Musa TOURE | Forward | Randers FC, Denmark | Croydon FC / Football SA |
| Rhys YOULLEY | Midfielder | Sydney FC, Australia | Marconi Stallions / Football NSW |
| Jonny YULL | Midfielder | Adelaide United FC, Australia | West Torrens Birkalla SC / Football SA |
