Uncapped striker Kusini Yengi has earned a maiden Socceroos call-up for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine after a goal-laden switch to England.
But veterans Milos Degenek and Andrew Redmayne have been dropped, alongside Tom Glover and forward Awer Mabil.
Goalkeeper Redmayne has had shaky form for Sydney FC while defender Degenek has been used sparingly by Red Star Belgrade.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold unveiled his squad for the qualification window in Melbourne on Thursday, with Jamie Maclaren, Joe Gauci and uncapped goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer rounding out four inclusions.
Yengi came into calculations for a debut after successfully adapting to life with Portsmouth.
It is a dream come true for the 24-year-old who was born in Australia to a refugee worker father from South Sudan.
Famously, his dad Ben produced one of the most touching viral moments in A-League history when he first saw him play in October 2022.
Arnold had pencilled Yengi in for the September window friendly against Mexico only for the talented striker to be sidelined with an ankle injury.
The former Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United frontman has five goals in eight games for Pompey after making the move overseas during the A-League Men off-season.
Yengi has averaged a goal every 40 minutes in appearances across League One and Portsmouth’s various cup competitions.
The striker, who also qualifies for England and South Sudan, missed close to two months of action for Pompey, who sit atop of League One.
Ahead of January’s Asian Cup, Yengi gives the Socceroos an extra dimension up front aside from the industrious Mitchell Duke.
Arnold has no major injury concerns ahead of the November window where Australia will be expected to pick up two wins.
Next Thursday’s match against Bangladesh at AAMI Park is the Socceroos’ first on home soil since facing Ecuador in March.
(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Australia then face Palestine in Kuwait on November 21.
“We’ve had the opportunity to test ourselves against some of world football’s best in the last six months and our performances have shown just how effective we can be, learning a lot along the way,” Arnold said.
“It was a chance to grow as a group, providing opportunities to younger players in preparation for the start of the 2026 World Cup qualification cycle.
“Those performances have not only shown what we’re capable of, but reinforced a strong belief within this group as we begin an extremely important period.
“It’s important that we build and maintain a momentum that will see us be successful throughout this campaign and beyond.”
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (capt), Joe Gauci, Ashley Maynard-Brewer*
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain
Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe
Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Mitch Duke, Craig Goodwin, Jamie Maclaren, Sam Silvera, Kusini Yengi*
* uncapped
Garry
Roar Rookie
sorry misread the brackets !! d’oh :unhappy: -need to clean my glasses!
NickA
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's what I mean. Souttar isn't playing but Leicester are doing well so it's no surprise he hasn't been able to force his way in. That's why I'd like to see Circati and Burgess start
Garry
Roar Rookie
I thought Souttar wasnt playing?
NickA
Roar Rookie
Not sure I agree re Strain – he has been a consistent performer at club and to write him off after 1 game (against one of the best teams in the world) is unfair given how many opportunities others have had. It’s not as if there are other players who have locked down that spot. Gauci too is an incredible shot stopper and is only 23? He’s shown week in week out that he can win games for Adelaide. He will only improve. You seem to be judging these fresher players on one performance – which seems harsh given their proven records. As for picking an extra striker, Arnie said in his presser that he wanted to pick an extra one for this window. perhaps he’ll change the formation a little to account for teams that will likely park the bus?
NickA
Roar Rookie
Yeah I know, that does make me a bit nervous. I think he will be locked in eventually (knock on wood). We know Arnie is not big on capping players for the sake of it, I think that could be a slippery slope. Circati wouldn't be locked in either right?
chris1
Roar Rookie
But he isn't locked in and these games would have locked him in.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Arnie has already got two specialist 9's now Duke and Yengi. Borrello can play wide but why would you want him over other options. I dont know the injury status on other players I assume Mabil is out injured. The squad has only 5 central midfielders to fit in Maclaren which is not enough cover. Strain kept England onside, but what was even worse off a really floated cross from deep he misjudges the header leaving the English player to collect the ball unhindered. Then he blows that big chance when the near post was wide open. The rest of the game his defence was ineffectual as well. Gauci is he really the best he certainly wasn't at the end of the season he is suspecy with his feet. If anything it shows the influence Vidmar has,
NickA
Roar Rookie
Yes let's start playing Circati! I don't think he'll drop Souttar (but he still isn't playing - and fair enough, Leicester are flying and why would you change a winning formula); but I'd like to see Burgess & Circati against a smaller nation.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Want to point out that McGree has NOT been picked due to injury - Aidan O'Neill has instead. Otherwise, I like this squad. I think Yengi could really be a player if he stays fit, he's shown his potential and started really well in England. With Toure in the Olyroos squad, I think it's a good pick. Arnie said in his presser he had to submit his extended squad almost immediately after the England game. Players like Fornaroli (who may have been picked on form) probably weren't on that list. Borello & MacLaren are lucky to get picked, but who else to choose? Shame that Mcgree is injured and a shame that Volpato, Hrustic are not currently playing. Wonder whether Jeggo will ever see the NT again - by all reports he's been excellent for Hibs. Devlin perhaps a little stiff too. I think Miller/Strain are our best two RBs at current. Atkinson needs to improve his overall game before he re-overtakes these two.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Perhaps unlikely to actually play many minutes with the NT, but has broken into the 1st team with Portsmouth - better to continue to play for club?
NickA
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree with this AGO. Chris I feel like if he's a direct placement or not, surely he manages to substitute his way onto the field. He's hardly going to replace a first 11 player if he's played no minutes in the lead up to him leaving.
NickA
Roar Rookie
If you listen to Arnie’s presser, he explains that he had to submit an extended team list only a couple of days after the England game. He probably hedged his bets on MacLaren, Borello continuing their good club form. Not sure we have that many strikers actually playing regularly at the moment anyway. Strain was hardly a failure. And regardless, not given another chance? What did he do wrong? Was his performance that bad that he doesn’t deserve another chance at a position that has limited other options? Gauci is young and will get better and he is by far and away the best young shot stopper we have.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The mystery to me if Vukovic was selected because of his ability to with his feet, why was Glover ever selected, Glover is the worst goal keeper with his feet, Gauci is no good either and people have forgotten his blunders at the end of last season. Who is the real no 2 , I haven't seen this other goal keeper so is he better with his feet. Ryan Strain was big failure should not be getting another chance. Circati needs to be selected because he is a lot more mobile than the two big lugs and is good on the ball. Why is Maclaren being selected he has scored one tap in recently and Borello he hasn't been doing enough at the Wanderers. The concern for me is Maclaren wil get front row seat against the weakest team Bangladesh he has been given priority against weak teams before and then they persist with him.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
Fair point....
Tony Harper
Editor
Yeah, I get it - but if we are not one of the top 8 teams in Asia in the future I'd prefer us to not be at a World Cup. I like qualification with stakes - this seems like a foregone conclusion (uh oh I did it again!)
Grem
Roar Rookie
Brilliant - yes, time is needed to grow a “product” to have it really develop that generational support - listen in A Leagues. Yes, women’s sport could be at the beginning of a giant growth period. Listen in APL and sponsors. I love the wholistic approach that these women are taking - yes, the player is a “product”, but let’s look after them during and after their careers. Sponsorship where 10% goes to community funding - a lot of great ideas. FA seem to have had some awareness of this with the Matildas, the documentary and they have become our big brand now. Great listen Midfielder.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Just saw the link
Grem
Roar Rookie
I agree about capping Circati. Officially capping Tourre and Robertson would be handy, especially against Bangladesh.
Grem
Roar Rookie
If you can send me a link, I’d love to watch and give feedback. I am in India at the moment and my times are completely different, plus I am out a lot.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
Interesting - I do now vaguely remember reading that he was being brought in to replace somebody and this was obviously Berardi. That said, when you are a relatively small Italian club and sign a player for 7.5m euros don't you think you'd find another way to get him in/on the pitch?