World Cup Tickets: Ydney, Oct 6 – Massimo Luongo’s return from international retirement has been put on hold after the midfielder was sideline from Australia’s squad for the FIFA 2026 qualifiers against China and Japan due to an ankle injury. Just last week, Luongo, who plays for Ipswich Town FC in the Premier League, reversed his decision to retire from international football, joining Tony Popovic’s extended 26-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers.
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Additionally, another midfielder, Connor Metcalfe, who missed St. Pauli’s 3-0 loss to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Sunday morning, was also exclude from the squad due to a leg injury. The Socceroos’ medical team was inform of Luongo and Metcalfe’s injuries following the official squad announcement on Friday. They will continue working closely with Ipswich Town FC and FC St. Pauli to develop rehabilitation plans.
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Australia’s FIFA 2026 Hopes Hit by Injuries to Key Midfielders Luongo and Metcalfe
Australia will face China at Adelaide Oval on October 10, followed by a match against Japan at Saitama Stadium in Tokyo on October 15. Australia currently sits fifth in Group C of the qualifiers, trailing five points behind group leaders Japan and three points behind second-placed Saudi Arabia. The AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to FIFA 2026 consists of three groups of six teams each, competing in a home-and-away, round-robin format. The top two teams from each group secure direct entry to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Squad Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo. Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Jason Geria, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Gianni Stensness. Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Luke Brattan, Riley McGree, Patrick Yazbek, Aiden O’Neill. Forwards: Daniel Arzani, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Sam Silvera, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Nishan Velupillay.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers have been an exhilarating and fiercely contested journey for teams worldwide, with the Socceroos of Australia encountering a mix of obstacles and chances. Recently, their quest for World Cup qualification took an unexpected turn, as midfielder Massimo Luongo was force out of the squad due to an ankle injury. Luongo’s absence comes shortly after his return from international retirement, raising hopes for his crucial role in Australia’s qualification bid.
Injury Setbacks for Socceroos Ahead of Crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
However, this untimely setback has led to a reshuffling of the Australian squad as they gear up for vital matches against China and Japan. Massimo Luongo, who currently represents Ipswich Town FC in the English Premier League, decided to retire from international football after an illustrious career with the Socceroos. His experience, skill, and leadership were invaluable for Australia in numerous tournaments, including the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where he played a key role in their triumph.
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Both fans and analysts were thrilled by his return to international football, viewing it as a significant boost for the national team. Luongo’s decision to rejoin the Socceroos under Tony Popovic for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers was seen as a tactical move to strengthen the midfi ahead of crucial fixtures. Unfortunately, his international return was cut short after he suffer an ankle injury, which forced him to withdraw from the squad before the qualifiers even came.
The Socceroos will now have to proceed without the experienced midfielder in FIFA, turning to other players to rise to the occasion and fill the gap left by his absence. Tally to Australia’s selection dilemmas, added midfielder, Connor Metcalfe, has also stood lined out due to a leg wound. Metcalfe, who plays for FC St. Pauli in Germany’s Bundesliga, missed his club’s 3-0 defeat to Mainz and was subsequently deemed unfit to represent the national team.
Socceroos Make Key Squad Changes as Injuries Impact FIFA 2026 Qualifiers
His absence is yet another setback for Tony Popovic’s squad in the Football World Cup, considering Metcalfe’s pivotal role in Australia’s midfield and his growing stature in European football. The Socceroos’ medical team, in collaboration with Ipswich Town FC and FC St. Pauli, is working diligently to create recovery plans for both Luongo and Metcalfe. However, their unavailability for the upcoming qualifiers has forced Australia to make last-minute adjustments to their squad as they approach key matches in Group C of the AFC qualifiers.
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In response to the injuries, Australia’s coaching staff has called upon Luke Brattan and Patrick Yazbek to replace Luongo and Metcalfe in the lineup. Both players offer their distinct attributes to the team. Luke Brattan, a seasoned midfielder who plays for Sydney FC, returns to the Socceroos for the first time since 2018. Brattan’s recall comes at a critical moment, and his experience with international football could be crucial as Australia looks to maintain momentum in the qualifiers.
Recognized for his excellent passing and his ability to dictate the pace of a game, Brattan is expected to play a central role in Australia’s midfiel during the upcoming fixtures. Patrick Yazbek, on the other hand, is a younger, rising talent who has been includ for the first time since making his international debut against Lebanon in March 2024. Yazbek’s addition to the squad signals a focus on the future, with the coaching staff eager to bring new energy into the team.
Football World Cup: Socceroos Face Crucial Clash against China in FIFA 2026 Qualifiers
His performances in domestic football have garnered attention, and he will be keen to make an impact on the international stage during these qualifiers. Australia’s upcoming fixtures in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers are crucial. The Socceroos are currently positioned fifth in Group C, trailing group leaders Japan by five points and second-place Saudi Arabia by three points. With the top two teams from each group earning direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup, every match is pivotal for Australia’s hopes of reaching the tournament.
The first challenge is a game against China at the Adelaide Oval on October 10. Despite being lower in the standings, China will be a motivated adversary. For Australia, this match is a must-win to keep pace with the top two teams. Given the fiercely competitive nature of the qualifiers, there is no room for error, and the Socceroos will need to deliver their best performance to secure a critical three points.
Five days later, Australia will face their toughest test yet, squaring off against Japan at the Saitama Stadium in Tokyo on October 15. Japan has shown outstanding form during the qualifiers and currently leads Group C. A win against Japan would not only boost Australia’s position in the group but also send a strong signal that the Socceroos are serious contenders for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification.
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