Tony Popovic's Bold Changes for Socceroos Squad Against Brazil

Tony Popovic promised change. He has delivered it with a thud.

The Socceroos coach has named seven uncapped players in a bold 26-man squad to face Brazil in back-to-back friendlies in Townsville and Brisbane later this month, swinging hard at the old guard while fast-tracking the next wave.

Sixteen players from the World Cup squad that reached the knockout rounds survive, including headline acts Patrick Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati – all of whom parlayed their Canadian and American exploits into major European moves. But the story of this squad is who’s missing, and who’s suddenly in.

Ryan axed as Popovic turns the page

Mat Ryan, a fixture of Australian football for more than a decade, is out. Not just from the starting XI – as he was during the World Cup – but from the entire squad, despite regular minutes in La Liga with Levante.

Popovic didn’t sugar-coat the decision, but he did underline the respect.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football and a player that has had a distinguished career – continues to have one, over 100 caps,” Popovic told reporters in Brisbane. “We’d like to have a look at another keeper. We’ve given a lot of keepers opportunity since we’ve been in charge.”

Asked how Ryan handled the call, Popovic’s answer was pointed and brief.

“No, he’s good. The ultimate professional that he is, that’s why he’s had such a distinguished career. He’s still available for us and he’s certainly not out of the picture moving forward.”

For now, though, the door is closed. St Mirren’s Jacob Chapman comes in to join Beach and Paul Izzo between the posts.

Ryan isn’t the only veteran to feel the squeeze. Four-time World Cup campaigner Mat Leckie is also omitted, with Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay and Ajdin Hrustic all making way as Popovic trims the depth chart.

Injury has taken care of the rest. Jordy Bos, Cristian Volpato and Cameron Burgess, all involved in the World Cup run, miss out through fitness issues.

New blood, new edge

Into that space steps a wave of fresh faces.

Uncapped pair Kasey Bos – younger brother of Jordy – and teenager Dylan Leonard return after previous involvement in national team camps, this time with a genuine shot at minutes. Leonard is currently on loan at Alemannia Aachen from Schalke, while Bos is at Excelsior Rotterdam on loan from Mainz 05.

Alongside them, five players aged 25 or under receive their first full Socceroos call-ups, a clear signal that Popovic is willing to accelerate the succession plan.

Forward Eli Adams, who recently swapped the Newcastle Jets for Gamba Osaka, headlines that group. So does Queen’s Park Rangers right back Kealey Adamson, an attacking fullback who offers thrust on the flank.

On the wings, Yaya Dukuly of Celje and Brøndby’s Marcus Younis add depth and pace, while Chapman’s inclusion as a goalkeeper underlines the drive to broaden the pool in every line.

There is experience returning as well. Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek are back after missing the World Cup through injury, restoring creativity and energy in midfield. Alex Robertson, in strong form for Cardiff City, is recalled to reinforce the engine room alongside Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill and Okon-Engstler.

Brazil, the benchmark

Popovic has been clear about the bigger picture.

“We are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team,” he said in a statement.

The opposition could hardly be more daunting, or more valuable as a measuring stick. Brazil arrive as the most successful nation in World Cup history, with a squad bristling with elite talent.

Their travelling party includes Real Madrid duo Endrick and Vinícius Júnior, Chelsea pair Estêvão and João Pedro, Barcelona’s Raphinha, Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães, among others. Marquinhos anchors the back line, while Flamengo and Corinthians supply a strong domestic core.

For Australia, the stakes are clear. These are home games – Townsville on Friday 25 September, Brisbane on Tuesday 29 September, both at 8pm AEST – and they are not window dressing.

“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history,” Popovic said. “We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”

Two camps. Four games. Then the Asian Cup squad is locked.

For Ryan, Leckie and a fading golden generation, the message is unmistakable. For Adams, Adamson, Bos, Leonard, Dukuly and Younis, the door has swung wide open.

Brazil will test whether this changing of the guard is ready for the world stage – or if Popovic’s gamble has come a year too soon.