Australia opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkey, and it wasn't a fluke. This Socceroos squad has genuine depth, a coherent identity, and a few young players who could make a real impact before the tournament is over.
The Group D draw — Turkey, Paraguay, and the United States — is navigable. Not soft, but navigable. And after beating Turkey on matchday one, Australia controls their own destiny.
The players who make this squad tick
Nestory Irankunda is the name to know. The 20-year-old Watford winger already scored against Turkey, and has been the subject of serious buzz throughout the European football circuit. At his age, with this stage, his performances will draw attention from clubs well above Watford's level.
Mohamed Toure adds another dimension — nine goals in 11 Championship appearances for Norwich after arriving in February 2026 is the kind of form that doesn't lie. Christian Volpato, who sharpened his game at Sassuolo in Serie A, gives Tony Popovic an extra creative option in behind the main striker.
Captain Mathew Ryan anchors the side at the back. His career path — Club Brugge, Valencia, Brighton, Arsenal, Lens, Levante — tells you everything about his reliability at elite level. Australia's goals-against column is partially his doing.
The St. Pauli pairing of Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe in midfield is underrated on the international stage. Harry Souttar at centre-back gives Australia something physical that most Asian sides can't easily match.
Popovic has built something real
Tony Popovic took the job in September 2024 and has gone 11-4-4 across 19 matches. That's a manager who knows what he wants and gets it. His Western Sydney Wanderers stint — A-League title in year one, AFC Champions League in year two — showed he can win in different contexts. The Socceroos don't look like a team still working out their shape.
Australia's World Cup history includes Round of 16 finishes in 2006 and 2022. Getting back there would mark a genuine era of consistency, not a one-off. Given the roster quality and form coming in, the knockout stages are a realistic target — not a dream one.
Group D schedule:
- Australia vs Turkey — played (2-0 win)
- Australia vs Paraguay — upcoming
- Australia vs United States — upcoming
Two wins from the remaining two matches would almost certainly see them through. One win and a draw probably does it too. The Socceroos, for the first time in a while, are on the right side of that calculation going into the group stage's final stretch.
