Socceroos announce squad for Lebanon World Cup qualifiers, FIFA World Cup 2026, news, injuries, Ajdin Hrustic recalled, Adam Taggart
Graham Arnold has named an extended 25-man Socceroos squad to face Lebanon in World Cup qualification, with a number of stunning recalls amid an injury and suspension crisis.
Australia face Lebanon in Sydney (March 21) and Canberra (26th), where a pair of wins would book the Socceroos’ place in the next stage of Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
24-cap playmaker Ajdin Hrustic is undoubtedly the biggest inclusion in the squad for Australia’s first matches since a disappointing quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup.
The creative midfielder was a standout in Australia’s qualification journey to the 2022 World Cup, only to be restricted to just a handful of minutes during the tournament proper due to an ankle injury.
He underwent surgery after the tournament before being sent into virtual exile at Serie A club Hellas Verona. His lack of game time meant he played just once for the Socceroos in 2023 – a 45-minute appearance last May.
But in February, the 27-year-old finally sealed an exit from Verona, joining Eredivisie relegation battlers Heracles Almelo. He has subsequently played five straight games, picking up a goal.
His return to form is a huge boost for a Socceroos team that has often struggled to break down organised, packed defences – while his set-piece ability provides another valuable weapon to the Socceroos’ offensive arsenal.
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Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart also earns a recall as Arnold searches for depth up front – what has become something of a problem position for the green and gold.
Taggart has 14 goals in 18 appearances in the A-League Men’s this season, and scored twice for Glory in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle on the weekend in front of a watching Arnold.
The 30-year-old has not appeared for the Socceroos since September 2022.
Western Sydney Wanderers striker Brandon Borrello has also been recalled after recovering from an ankle injury that saw him miss the Asian Cup.
Martin Boyle will be absent after suffering a sickening head knock for his club Hibernian, while Marco Tilio, Aziz Behich, and Awer Mabil are all injured.
Aiden O’Neill is suspended after being sent off in the Asian Cup quarter-final, a 2-1 extra time loss to South Korea – but an ankle injury would have ruled him out regardless.
Right-back Lewis Miller was named in the squad, just hours after suffering an injury while playing for Scottish club side Hibernian. Miller was forced from the field in the first half of Hibs’ 2-2 draw at Ross County and is now in doubt.
The raft of injuries and unavailability has seen 21-year-old Patrick Yazbek promoted from the under-23s Olyroos team, after being initially named to play for that side in a tournament in Saudi Arabia this window.
The Viking FK defensive midfielder is one of three potential debutants, alongside striker John Iredale (SV Wehen Wiesbaden in Germany) and gloveman Thomas Glover.
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“As a group we took a lot away from our time in Qatar and I’ve got no doubt that we’ll be better for the experience as we work towards World Cup qualification,” Arnold said in a statement.
“We selected a number of younger, inexperienced players for the Asian Cup with the view of giving them more opportunities at international level as well as exposing them to tournament conditions.
“It’s part of our continued regeneration of the senior national team squad, ensuring that in two years’ time we have the depth and experience required to succeed on international football’s biggest stage.”
“We’ve gone with a similar squad to the one we took to the Asian Cup, and they’ll be prepared to face a side in Lebanon that have a lot to play for,” added Arnold.
“It’ll be a great test for the group and one I know they’re very much looking forward to,” Arnold concluded.
There is no room for 33-year-old Mathew Leckie, whose international future appears set to be over with Arnold turning to the future. His Melbourne City teammate Jamie Maclaren is also absent.
The Socceroos currently sit top of Group I in the AFC’s second round of World Cup qualifiers with two wins (six points) from two matches.
Lebanon is in second with two points, while Palestine and Bangladesh each have one point.
The top two nations progress to the third round, where 18 teams are split into three groups of six.
FULL SQUAD
Nathaniel Atkinson, Keanu Baccus, Brandon Borrello, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Joe Gauci (Gk), Thomas Glover (Gk), Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, John Iredale, Jackson Irvine, Gethin Jones, Riley Mcgree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Mathew Ryan (Gk) (C), Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi
