Subway Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic says he’s excited to see how Nestory Irankunda has developed, having selected the young Watford forward for international duty for the first time since October 2024.
Irankunda is back on the international scene after a dream start to life with the Hornets in the English Championship.
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The 19-year-old Adelaide United export has a goal and an assist to his name from three league appearances at his new club, with his first-ever Watford strike coming in typically-Irankunda fashion, bent up and over the wall and into the top-left corner from a free-kick against Swansea.
The teenage Isuzu UTE A-League prodigy joined Watford from German giants Bayern Munich on a five-year deal and has wasted no time settling into his new home in England’s second tier; now, he’s been rewarded with a recall to the Socceroos squad for Australia’s two-game international series against New Zealand in September.
Irankunda has just five senior international caps to his name.
But having missed out on selection in Popovic’s last three international camps, his inclusion in the squad as one of 13 players with five caps or less to their names respectively signals a shift in priorities for the Socceroos head coach who, after successfully securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, now wants to see which, if any, of Australia’s next-generation prospects can seize their chance to feature in next year’s major tournament.
“I had Nestory in camp with us in my first window in October, we haven’t had him since so it’ll be nice to see him,” Popovic said.
“I think since that time we’ve seen him probably mature as a player, he’s had a year in Europe which is a great experience for a young player, at Bayern Munich, which obviously shows the talent that he has. He got some game time at Grasshoppers at Switzerland, and now we’re seeing him progress further at Watford.Â
“We know he certainly has the talent, he’s young, he’s still got the potential, he’s still maturing and getting better. We hope to see him in two, three, four World Cups to come. I’m excited to see where he’s at.”
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Seven uncapped players have been selected for the two-game New Zealand series, with Isuzu UTE A-League products Max Balard, Noah Botic, Tom Glover, Paul Izzo, Nicolas Milanovic, Adrian Segecic all eager to debut against the All Whites.
Popovic says the new-look squad should send a message to any Australian player hopeful of being considered for the 2026 World Cup.
“We need to build some continuity with some senior players but also, we need to get the balance right and give some of these young boys an opportunity where they could feature at the World Cup. They could be a surprise,” he said.
“Also, we know these young boys have a lot of potential and possibly they have two or three World Cups ahead of them. It’s an exciting camp and an exciting squad.Â
He added: “We’re very grateful for every player (who) contributed in the time I’ve been in charge, in helping us qualify for the World Cup; that goes down in history and they’ll always be remembered, but now we have to move forward.
“Our expectation is we want them to keep rising, we want to get better for the World Cup. Players (who) have done a great job need to continue doing that.
“Any player out there (who) believes that he can play in a World Cup, the reality is it’s possible. We wish all the players good luck and we’re monitoring everyone.”
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