Subway Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic has announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming Soccer Ashes series against New Zealand during the September FIFA Window.
Australia will be back in action for the first time since their successful qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and now have nine months to prepare meticulously for the major tournament.
The Aussies tackle the All Whites in Canberra at GIO Stadium on Friday, 5 September, before travelling across the Tasman for the second leg at Auckland's GO Media Stadium on Tuesday, 9 September.
The two-match friendly series against the All Whites – a team who has also secured its place at next year’s showpiece event – will provide Popovic and his staff an excellent opportunity to assess new players, build on footballing principles, while establishing some continuity.
Popovic has made 13 changes from the previous camp, acknowledging he would select overseas-based players for the September with the Socceroos at A-League clubs still largely in pre-season.
There are four players who have received their maiden official call-ups, while eight have earned recalls – with a host of players – seven to be exact – in line to make their Socceroos debut.
Read all about the new and returning players below.
Maiden Call-Ups
Adrian Segecic, Forward
Regarded as one of the country’s brightest prospects, and having represented Australia at every youth level, Adrian Segecic has been called up for the first time following his impressive start to life at Portsmouth in the Championship.
The 21-year-old has scored two goals and registered one assist for Pompey across all competitions following his transfer from Sydney FC over the A-League off-season.
Noah Botic, Forward
After a prolific campaign with Western United, where he bagged 16 goals in 29 matches, Botic completed a move to Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Wien.
The 23-year-old striker has one goal and one assist in five matches at his new club.
Nicolas Milanovic, Forward
Having been part of the Socceroos training camp in Abu Dhabi, Nicolas Milanovic has earned his first official call-up.
The reigning Johnny Warren Medal winner with Western Sydney Wanderers last season signed with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
The 23-year-old has started the new campaign with an assist in five appearances so far.
Anthony Kalik, Midfielder
At 27, Anthony Kalik has received a maiden senior call-up after strong performances in the Croatian top-flight with Hajduk Split. Since departing the Central Coast Mariners in 2016, Kalik has spent the bulk of his career in Croatia aside from a loan spell at Sydney FC for the 2017/18 campaign.
Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Kalik’s versatility means he has operated in a number of different midfield roles.
Returning Players
Nestory Irankunda, Forward
Prodigious talent Nestory Irankunda has earned his first call-up since the October Window last year.
The 19-year-old, who already boasts five caps and a goal to his name for the Socceroos, has hit the ground running with Watford following his move from Bayern Munich.
Irankunda dispatched a brilliant free-kick against Cam Burgess’ Swansea City recently and also has an assist to his name in an impressive start to life in England.
Jordy Bos, Defender
The left side of the pitch has been bolstered by the return of key defender Jordy Bos for the first time since November 2024.
Injuries prevented the 22-year-old from featuring for the National Team in the preceding two windows this year, but the dynamic left-back (and left wing-back) is fit and firing and will be looking to add to his 19 caps and one goal.
Over the European summer transfer window, Bos signed with Dutch giants Feyenoord for a fee in the region of €5 million ($8.9 million AUD) and has already made a strong impression for new boss Robin van Persie, with three starts and an assist.
Ajdin Hrustic, Midfielder
Experienced creative midfielder Ajdin Hrustic is back in the fray for the first time since November last year.
The 29-year-old has 31 caps and four goals and also completed a summer move to the Eredivisie, rejoining Heracles Almelo in a bid to secure consistent playing time.
Max Balard, Midfielder
24-year-old Max Balard is back and will be determined to earn a maiden cap. Also a part of the Abu Dhabi training camp earlier this year, Balard has been a consistent presence in the Eredivisie with NAC Breda.
The midfielder has started all three matches to begin the new season with his Dutch club.
Hayden Matthews, Defender
Hayden Matthews has been recalled, having made his Socceroos debut in November 2024 against Bahrain.
The centre-back joined Portsmouth at the beginning of the year from Sydney FC before suffering an injury in early March, ruling him out for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
But the 21-year-old defender is back now and keen to further his development on the international stage.
Sam Silvera, Midfielder
Pacey forward-cum-midfielder Sam Silvera has been handed a recall after his last occurred in October 2024.
The speedster, winning seven caps, played every minute in all of Middlesbrough’s three EFL Championship matches under new boss Rob Edwards.
Silvera was sent out on loan in the second half of last season with Blackpool in search of more game time and has since returned to Boro in excellent form.
Fran Karacic, Defender
Having featured in both of Australia’s matches in March against Indonesia and China PR, Fran Karacic has returned.
The right-back, a club teammate of Kalik’s, has been in superb form with Hajduk Split, scoring two goals in eight games across all competitions.
Karacic, 29, has amassed 15 caps and one goal since his debut in 2021.
Tom Glover, Goalkeeper
The Middlesbrough goalkeeper has been involved in several camps since his first call-up back in September 2023, providing competition to the likes of Maty Ryan and Joe Gauci.
Potential Debutants
There are seven potential debutants in the squad. Goalkeepers Paul Izzo and Tom Glover are yet to appear for the senior side, as well as Max Balard.
Meanwhile, those receiving their inaugural call-ups in Adrian Segecic, Noah Botic, Nicolas Milanovic and Anthony Kalik will also have a chance to debut.
