Arnold Announces Revamped Australia Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Graham Arnold has made significant changes to Australia’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Indonesia. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan and winger Craig Goodwin are among the seven players who have been recalled to the team.
Ryan, the former captain, returns after taking a break from international duty, while Goodwin makes a comeback following his recovery from injury. The duo joins a squad that includes several other experienced players, such as Awer Mabil, Lewis Miller, and Aiden O’Neill.
Arnold has also included young talents like Thomas Deng, Sam Silvera, and Nestory Irankunda in the squad. The 18-year-old Irankunda, who recently faced an injury scare at Bayern Munich, has retained his place.
Australia’s goal is to qualify for their sixth consecutive World Cup. They have been drawn into Group C alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China, with the top two teams earning automatic berths to the 2026 finals.
“We’ve got a great mix of players who’ve been through this phase of qualification before and can lead the way for some of the younger members of our squad, their experience will play an important role throughout this journey,” Arnold said in a statement.