Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk has officially confirmed his 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The exciting news for Australian fans is that 19-year-old prodigy Daniel Arzani will be given the chance to debut for the Socceroos during the World Cup.
He has been included inside the squad, as has Tim Cahill, who will appear at the world cup for the fourth time – as will Mark Milligan.
Dimitri Petratos and Josh Risdon, alongside Arzani, make up three players from the A-League who have made the cut.
The 23-man squad was cut down from a 27-man group who came together for a training camp in Turkey head of this week’s 4-0 friendly win against the Czech Republic.
Fran Karacic, Josh Brillante, James Troisi, and Nikita Rukavytsya are the four unlucky players from the 27-man squad who have missed the final cut.
“I have been very pleased with the effort and application of all of the players during our time in Turkey, and in Austria,” said van Marwijk.
“Every step of the selection process has been difficult because the players have all given everything to make the final selection.
“However considering many factors, we have now settled on our final squad for Russia.
“I believe this group of players can do Australia proud at the world’s biggest football tournament if we continue to work collectively and intensively over the next two weeks and into the competition.”
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic, Brad Jones.
Defenders: Trent Sainsbury, Milos Degenek, Matt Jurman, Mark Milligan, Josh Risdon, Aziz Behich, James Meredith.
Midfielders: Mile Jedinak (c), Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine, Tomi Rogic, Dimitri Petratos, Mathew Leckie, Daniel Arzani.
Forwards: Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Andrew Nabbout, Jamie Maclaren, Robbie Kruse.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Spiranovic has had a bad run with injuries and hasn't played regularly since February, so was never in the WC picture.. He was dumped by his Chinese club and has returned home recuperating. He is looking to return to Sydney and the A-League, either with Wanderers or FC. SFC are going to announce some more squad signings in the next few weeks and Spiranovic could be one of them.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Good idea to name an extended squad and trim it; probably made the players work harder for fear of being one of the four who was told the bad news.
Mark
Guest
Laughable. Maclaren scores a few goals in the SPL and all of a sudden you and some others here would have us believe he’s the second coming of Leo Messi.
StuM
Guest
Adore Milligan at centre mid, but never at centre back. Does anybody know what ever happened to Matt Spiranovic? His combination with Trent Sainsbury was the strongest thing we've had at the back for years. Is he still in China? Is he still injured.. why is he unavailable? He was immense. Conflicting reports.. any idea?
Andrew
Roar Guru
After both the Colombia and Czech games, Luongo is looking increasingly vital and looks to be heading back to his Asian Cup 2015 form.
Tony
Guest
As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day... :)
Kangajets
Guest
Got to be positive buddy , on the Socceroos .. True , Denmark and Peru have quality , but I feel BVM will build some self belief into Australia and finishing second behind France is a good possibility now . Everybody laughed when I said the jets would make the grand final at the start of the season , sometimes I get it right ... fingers crossed for the Roos
Buddy
Guest
And that was not relating to your comment about making the second round........you must have moved your AFL post.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Well said Kangas, with you on that.
Buddy
Guest
Em Kanga - have you lost your way?
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Australia will make the second round imo
MQ
Guest
BVM decided he wasn't ready, and you don't use the WC just to make sure some unknown player qualifies for Australia. BVM is paid to make such calls, and at this point, we'd have to trust his judgement on this one.
MQ
Guest
We wait four years to see the world's best play the world game and it's a bonus that Australia is there amongst it.
Buddy
Guest
The merchants of doom are out in force wherever you turn. Pick any 23 players you like and someone will still tell you they are poor or average and will lose all their games. Whilst you want your country to do well and win some games and maybe reach the knockout phase, there is something to be said for just enjoying the whole spectacle. Remember that unlike any other code’s world cup, there is a long arduous qualifying path to be taking part in finals. 210 countries entered and now there are 32 and some (not all) of the world’s best footballers will be taking part. I remember the 2002 world cup seeing Germany beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 and thinking of the aussie players that could have been there and given a much better account of themselves but they weren’t and history is history! The one thing that concerns me most is the pace and stamina of so many top professionals these days. The transitions are lightning fast and they happen in the 89th minute often as fast as the 9th minute of a game. I hope the Socceroos are equipped to deal with that threat. Bring it on..........it so livens up June and July every four years!
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
He didn't make the Croatia WC squad either. He's young enough, there will be more chances. If this isn't an incentive to train harder, try harder to make it to the next level, then what is? Its up to him now.
Griffo
Roar Guru
He is still eligible for both countries. Whether he gets picked by Australia or Croatia in the future remains to be seen.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree with that AGO74.
Jack
Guest
What happens to karicic now does he go back to his country of birth for national representation ?
Waz
Roar Rookie
If there is a question mark it might be Juric’s fitness but assuming they have the right medical advice it should be okay. Definitely feel for everyone that’s been cut. Some (Troisi) deserves it more than others (Brillante I agree is unfortunate).
AGO74
Guest
I think it's just about right also. Even putting aside the injury status of Juric I think it's good to have McLaren in there just for the different style of play he brings compared to Juric. I feel for Brillante (especially as a Sydney fan) given this is the 2nd time he's missed out on final cut but I can't really argue with it. I'd say he missed out to McLaren but per above (in terms of mclarens point of difference to Juric) I think that is more valuable to the squad compared to what Brillante has to offer when Degenek can reasonably step in if something happens to Risdon.