Young gun’s big bro, Euro exiles named in new-look Socceroos squad but friendlies in doubt
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has named a 25-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Jordan, despite ongoing safety concerns regarding the Middle East. The squad features several new call-ups and returning players as the team prepares for future World Cup qualifiers.
Why it matters
The uncertainty surrounding these matches highlights the ongoing impact of regional geopolitical instability on international sporting events.
FOOTBALL Young gun’s big bro, Euro exiles named in new-look Socceroos squad but friendlies in doubt Socceroos shake up squad | 00:39 Dane Heverin from Fox Sports November 8th, 2026 10:59 am Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has unveiled a new-look 25-man squad for this month’s international window despite significant doubt remaining as to whether Australia’s friendlies in the Middle East will go ahead.
The Socceroos are due to face reigning Asian Cup champions Qatar in Doha in the early hours of Saturday 14 November and Jordan in Amman in the early hours of Wednesday 18 November.
But January’s Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia was postponed due to conflict in the Middle East and Football Australia are continuing to assess safety concerns.
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