Following FIFA’s recent official confirmation that the national team squads for the 2022 World Cup will be comprised of 26 players, instead of 23, we start to look ahead to what the Socceroos’ roster might look like in November.
For the sake of this article, we will be assuming full health for the entire player pool come the start of the tournament, something that is definitely unlikely to happen in reality.
Unless something unexpected and very extreme occurs, Australia should have just one international window remaining before Graham Arnold must pick his 26-men squad for the big occasion.
The September window is expected to be something of a dress rehearsal, with the Socceroos set to venture to Auckland to take on New Zealand in a friendly to mark the 100-year anniversary of the first-ever men’s fixture between the two nations.
We will all likely get a better understanding of how the World Cup squad will look following that friendly against the All Whites. But for now, there are still some questions regarding key areas in the Green and Gold team.
Here is Kick360’s full position-by-position breakdown of the potential Socceroos squad and our preferred 26-man squads, listed at the bottom of the article.
Goalkeepers
On the plane: Mathew Ryan, Andrew Redmayne
Confident: None
In contention: Daniel Vuković, Lawrence Thomas, Mark Birighitti
Petar Petrov: Andrew Redmayne seems destined to be in the squad following his heroics against Peru, but there is no doubt that team captain Maty Ryan will remain the No. 1 between the sticks. The main question is who’s going to be the third keeper to join them on the plane to Qatar?
Thomas Williams: Goalkeeping coach John Crawley recently spoke of the value of having a goalkeeping unit of sorts, and it would likely take a shift in mentality for Ryan, Redmayne or Vuković to be shifted out from the squad.
However, the latter has struggled for minutes at NEC Nijmegen and could have his spot challenged by A-League stoppers Joe Gauci and Mark Birighitti while Lawrence Thomas will be looking to force his way back into the squad with his return to Australia via the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Left-back
On the plane: None
Confident: Aziz Behich
In contention: Jason Davidson, Joel King
Thomas Williams: Aziz Behich has barely put a foot wrong since he was at fault for both of the goals Australia conceded against Japan in Saitama and will lead the charge for a starting berth from left-back. However, Jason Davidson may have other ideas after a superb A-League season was rewarded with a move to Belgian outfit KAS Eupen.
Joel King and Callum Elder are the other standout options to feature in the squad but may struggle to usurp Davidson and Behich in the pecking order.
Petar Petrov: Elder seems to be out of favor when it comes to the Socceroos, hence why we haven’t included him in the list of potential candidates, but the likes of King and Davidson will definitely give Behich a run for his money.
Centre-back
On the plane: Trent Sainsbury
Confident: Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar
In contention: Miloš Degenek, Bailey Wright, Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Gianni Stensness
Petar Petrov: A year ago, if someone asked us what the centre-back partnership for the World Cup is going to look like, the answer would have been only one – Sainsbury and Souttar. Now I feel like that’s not exactly the case.
Harry Souttar tore his ACL back in November 2021 and since then Graham Arnold has used a couple of different CB partnerships in the heart of defence. The likes of Miloš Degenek, Kye Rowles, and Bailey Wright all had their chances while Trent Sainsbury, despite missing the crucial games in June, due to injury, still seems like a certain starter, with his passing being a big part of the way Arnold likes to play.
Souttar, who is yet to return to action for club and country, will have to face some stiff competition for his place, but I personally believe that he’ll be the one playing alongside Sainsbury, once the team faces France. Jay Rich-Baghuelou is another outside option that could sneak into the squad if he continues to impress with Accrington in EFL League One.
Thomas Williams: If Souttar is 100% fit, then he’s a nailed on starter next to Sainsbury at the heart of defence. It almost seems cruel to leave Wright or Rowles out of the squad after their herculean efforts against Peru which may leave Degenek as the unlucky one to miss out.
Aside from Sainsbury and Souttar, the remaining two or three centre-halves in the squad will likely be chosen on form heading into the tournament. Given that Rowles is joining a new club (Heart of Midlothian) and Wright is being promoted into the EFL Championship, the likes of Jay-Rich Baghuelou, Curtis Good and Gianni Stensness will be hoping that their continuity and consistency provides them with a better chance to secure their ticket to Qatar.
Right-back
On the plane: None
Confident: Nathaniel Atkinson
In contention: Fran Karačić, Lewis Miller, Rhyan Grant
Thomas Williams: There is no real standout option at right-back. Atkinson was impressive against Peru after struggling against UAE and seems to be the front-runner for this position, however, that could change in a matter of months depending on his form at Heart of Midlothian.
Fran Karačić struggled for minutes at Brescia last season but his passing range and positional awareness provide a point of difference at right-back for Australia. Lewis Miller is an engine down the right-hand side and is a bolter to make the squad if he strings together some good performances for Hibernian after earning himself a transfer from the Central Coast Mariners.
Petar Petrov: As things stand, I think that Atkinson should be the first choice right-back, especially considering that he’s capable of playing both as an inverted and an overlapping full-back, and even as a winger if needed.
Karačić and Grant both have a decent chance of making the trip to Western Asia, but my feeling is that if Miller has a good start to the season, we could potentially see him making his debut in the World Cup.
Central midfield
On the plane: Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustić, Jackson Irvine
Confident: None
In contention: Connor Metcalfe, James Jeggo, Kenneth Dougall, Denis Genreau
Petar Petrov: Though he hardly played in the Chinese Super League this year, Mooy is still one of Australia’s most important and experienced players and that was on show against Peru. The ex-Brighton man seems set to be partnered by Ajdin Hrustic and Jackson Irvine in midfield, especially with Tom Rogic’s future still up in the air.
Others like Connor Metcalfe, James Jeggo, Kenny Dougall, and Denis Genreau will have to face a real uphill battle with approximately only six or seven midfielders slots available.
Thomas Williams: Mooy, Hrustić, and Irvine is Arnold’s preferred midfield combination and all three of them will be on the plane to Qatar unless injury strikes. With a plethora of midfielders available, Arnold may have to decide upon who provides the biggest point of difference depending on the state of the game when choosing his complementary midfield assets.
Despite failing to make the most recent squad, selecting James Jeggo makes sense as he can fulfill Mooy’s role at the base of the midfield and act as a similarly metronomic presence. Kenny Dougall and newly-promoted Toulouse technician Denis Genreau lead the charge to feature but will be ably challenged by Connor Metcalfe who will have a few months at FC St Pauli to showcase his talents before the World Cup.
Attacking midfield
On the plane: None
Confident: Tom Rogic, Riley McGree
In contention: Jake Brimmer
Thomas Williams: Tom Rogić remains a question mark having pulled out of the UAE and Peru games due to personal reasons. Not having the former Celtic maestro will be a massive blow to the Socceroos because Rogić can provide extra dynamism and polish in the final third that is seldom generated by his Australian teammates.
If Jake Brimmer continues his form at Melbourne Victory then he is the leading candidate to replace Rogić while, despite his relative lack of minutes for the national team, McGree is more than likely to be selected after impressing for Middlesborough last season.
Petar Petrov: Riley McGree hasn’t really had the chance to prove what he’s capable of with the national team shirt, due to formation-related reasons, but he’s a player that offers something different. If he has a solid start to the season, I think he will certainly make the cut.
Johnny Warren medalist Jake Brimmer would also fancy his chances in the case that Rogic is not named in the 26-player-list.
Wingers
On the plane: Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie
Confident: None
In contention: Craig Goodwin, Marco Tilio, Ben Folami, Brandon Borrello
Petar Petrov: The wide attacker roles are arguably two of the least competitive positions in this Socceroos side, with Boyle, Mabil, and Leckie all clearly ahead of other options and firmly established at the top of the pecking order.
Tilio and Goodwin are the current favorites to join the trio, after making a couple of appearances in 2022, while Victory’s Ben Folami could be an outside contender.
Thomas Williams: When fit, Boyle, Mabil, and Leckie have been mainstays of the Socceroos squad and that should not change heading into the World Cup. The wingers Arnold picks alongside these three will largely be dictated by profile and skillset. He will have to decide what assets are most important to his team.
Marco Tilio is likely to be selected for his intelligence and speed off the bench while Craig Goodwin provides a lethal threat from dead-ball situations. Ben Folami is explosive, direct, and, like Martin Boyle, very capable of beating his man in 1v1 situations. Brandon Borrello is another one who, if he rediscovers form and fitness, could find his way back into the squad.
Strikers
On the plane: None
Confident: Adam Taggart, Mitchell Duke
In contention: Jamie Maclaren, Nick D’Agostino
Thomas Williams: Due to injuries, Australia have struggled for a consistent focal point to lead the line in World Cup qualifying. Adam Taggart was impressive at the start of the campaign and warrants selection in the squad if he is fit. Taggart’s touch and ability to bring his teammates into the game provides a point of difference to the likes of Maclaren and D’Agostino who are more adept at running off the shoulder of the opposition’s last line.
Mitch Duke has performed admirably when called upon for the Socceroos and is arguably Arnold’s first-choice centre-forward heading into Qatar. Duke’s physical presence and capacity to endlessly harass the opposition into making an error makes him a valuable asset to the squad.
Petar Petrov: My feeling is that Adam Taggart, despite all his recent injury problems, is still the best option up top and if fit should be a nailed on starter. Duke, Maclaren, and D’Agostino all have their strengths but none of them really managed to light up the stage and cement a spot.
Other names like Jason Cummings, Bruno Fornaroli, Nikita Rukavytsya, and even Deni Juric have all been mentioned in conversations regarding the possible squad, but at this point, it seems highly unlikely for Graham Arnold to try and tinker with such an important position.
Predicted 26-man Socceroos World Cup squads:
Petrov:
Goalkeepers (3): Mathew Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Daniel Vuković
Left-backs (2): Aziz Behich, Joel King
Centre-backs (4): Trent Sainsbury, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright
Right-backs (2): Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic
Central midfielders (5): Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustic, Denis Genreau, James Jeggo, Jackson Irvine
Attacking midfielders (2): Tom Rogic, Riley McGree
Wingers (5): Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Mathew Leckie, Marco Tilio, Martin Boyle
Strikers (3): Adam Taggart, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke
Williams:
Goalkeepers (3): Mathew Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Daniel Vuković
Left-backs (2): Aziz Behich, Jason Davidson
Centre-backs (4): Trent Sainsbury, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright
Right-backs (2): Nathaniel Atkinson, Lewis Miller
Central midfielders (6): Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustić, Jackson Irvine, James Jeggo, Connor Metcalfe, Denis Genreau
Attacking midfielders (1): Riley McGree
Wingers (5): Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle, Mathew Leckie, Marco Tilio, Craig Goodwin
Strikers (3): Adam Taggart, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke
