With the spotlight on the CommBank Socceroos and the Soccer Ashes series against New Zealand, Australia’s next generation of senior internationals have convened in China for a pivotal Under-23 camp.
Their prime objective is simple: beat Northern Mariana Islands, Timor-Lest and China PR, and qualify for next year’s AFC Under-2023 Asian Cup. But there’s a secondary motivation for all 23 Australian rising stars to impress in the Asian Cup qualification window, born from Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic’s message to any player aspiring to represent the nation.
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In a week where seven Socceroos squad members could potentially make their respective senior international debuts, Popovic threw down the gauntlet to Australian footballers far and wide to catch his attention before next year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup.
“Any player out there (who) believes that he can play in a World Cup, the reality is: it’s possible,” Popovic said ahead of the Soccer Ashes. “We wish all the players good luck.
“We’re monitoring everyone.”
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With those last three words, Popovic challenged all players, young and old, capable of representing the Socceroos to show what they’re made of across the seven months between now and next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
While Popovic takes charge of the Socceroos in the two-game Soccer Ashes series, the Olyroos convene in China for three Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. Australia must finish as one of 11 group winners or one the four best second-placed teams in their four-nation group to advance to the tournament set to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
Selected in head coach Tony Vidmar’s 23-player squad were 19 Isuzu UTE A-League youngsters and four products of Australia’s top-flight.
There’s pressure on this squad to succeed in Saudi Arabia next year due to the recent successes of Australian youth sides in recent tournaments; the Joeys won the Hattrick Under-17 International Tournament in February, before the Young Socceroos made history in March by sealing the Under-20 Asian Cup title for the very first time.
*Note: Adrian Segecic has been withdrawn from the squad below after his selection in Popovic’s Socceroos squad.
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Australia’s Under-20 women’s side, meanwhile, are preparing to partake in the Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup in 2026, while the Young Socceroos are less than a month out from beginning their Under-20 Men’s World Cup campaign.
It feels like a seminal moment for youth football in Australia, and the senior national teams are taking note. In Popovic’s current Socceroos squad alone, there are 13 players with five caps or fewer to their names.
Isuzu UTE A-League exports Nestory Irankunda (19), Adrian Segecic (21), Mohamed Toure (21), Nicolas Milanovic (23), Ryan Teague (23), Max Balard (24), Jordan Bos (22), Hayden Matthews (21) and Noah Botic (23) are just some of the exciting names pushing for minutes in the Soccer Ashes series and their collective inclusion in Popovic’s plans, coupled with the coach’s pre-game comments, will serve as great motivation for the next wave of up-and-comers dreaming of making the leap to the senior squad.
With Popovic watching their every move, 23 Isuzu UTE A-League products have touched down in China, eager to continue Australia’s recent show of strength in Asian competition – and prove that they’re willing to rise to and meet the Socceroos head coach’s challenge.
Australia Under-23 squad – 2026 AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers
Club-by-club
Adelaide United: Ethan Alagich, Yaya Dukuly
Central Coast Mariners: Nathan Paull, Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Macarthur FC: Alexander Robinson
Melbourne City: Patrick Beach
Melbourne Victory: Josh Rawlins, Jing Reec, Jordi Vaadon
Newcastle Jets: Ben Gibson
Perth Glory: Nathanael Blair, Kaelan Majekodunmi
Western Sydney Wanderers: Aydan Hammond, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Oscar Priestman, Aidan Simmons
Western United: Matthew Grimaldi, Rhys Bozinovski, Abel Walatee
Queens Park Rangers: Kealey Adamson
Vancouver Whitecaps: Giuseppe Bovalina
TSV Hartberg: Jed Drew
Unattached: Kane Vidmar
Match details
Australia v Northern Mariana Islands
Date: Wednesday, 3 September 2025
Kick-off: 15:30pm (local time) / 17.30pm AEST
Location: Xi’an Sports Training Centre, Xi’an, China PR
Australia v Timor-Leste
Date: Saturday, 6 September 2025
Kick-off: 15:30pm (local time) / 17.30pm AEST
Location: Xi’an Sports Training Centre, Xi’an, China PR
Australia v China PR
Date: Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Kick-off: 19:35pm (local time) / 21:35pm AEST
Location: Xi’an International Football Centre, Xi’an, China PR
