The pain of missing out on representing the Subway Socceroos at a major tournament is fuelling Brandon Borrello as the Western Sydney Wanderers star prepares for Thursday night’s showdown against Saudi Arabia.
Borrello is back in the Socceroos squad following an eight-month absence, with Tony Popovic’s Australia preparing to host Saudi Arabia in a 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifier in Melbourne before travelling to face Bahrain on November 20.
The 29-year-old forward is an 11-time Socceroo but he is yet to feature at a major event, having missed out on Graham Arnold’s squad for the 2024 AFC Asian Cup.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO UNITE ROUND!
“It’s not just an Asian Cup, I think I’ve missed out on two World Cups,” Borrello told reporters, with the Wanderer one of seven A-Leagues-based players in the squad alongside Sydney FC trio Anthony Caceres, Rhyan Grant, Hayden Matthews, Melbourne Victory duo Nishan Velupillay and Jason Geria, and Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich.
“I’ve been apart of all the qualifiers leading up to big tournaments but I’ve not played in a big tournament yet.
“So, that’s a massive goal of mine to get there.”
ROUND 4 TALKING POINTS: ‘Gut feel’ behind all-time goal as coach hails trait ‘never seen before’
Borrello has not been involved in a Socceroos squad since March, though he has not played for Australia since November 2023.
During that window a year ago, he scored in a 7-0 rout of Bangladesh in Melbourne.
Back fit and “happy” after an injury-interrupted 2023-24, Borrello’s form – two goals in his last three games for the Wanderers in the Isuzu UTE A-League – has seen him recalled to the international fold.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD: Maiden call-ups for Caceres & Matthews as SEVEN A-Leagues stars selected
HAYDEN MATTHEWS: ‘Mum, mum you won’t believe this!’ Young star’s heartwarming tale of Socceroos selection
‘NO ONE ELSE WAS HOME’: Wholesome reaction to relieved A-Leagues star’s first Socceroos selection
“Stoked. It’s been a while since I’ve been in camp. About eight months – pretty sure my son was born a week before my last camp. It’s been that amount of time,” he reflected.
“It’s a great amount of confidence being called up, especially by the new coach, so looking forward to it.”
This camp represents Borrello’s first time working with former A-Leagues boss Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in September.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO UNITE ROUND!
“Spoke to a few of his players from Melbourne Victory to make sure I do the right things and start off on the right foot,” he said.
“Definitely spoke to (Victory forward) Bruno (Fornaroli) so that was good, and a few people at my club who were there when he was there to give me some pointers.”
“Just make sure you turn up on time for meetings. It’s all about respect,” Borrello replied when asked if he had been given any major tips.
