Australia’s squad for the 2022 World Cup has been revealed, with boss Graham Arnold with household names like Mat Ryan, Mathew Leckie and Aaron Mooy in his final 26-man squad.
Australia have been struggling to reach the World Cup lately, so they had to defy dwindling expectations by advancing to a fifth consecutive final by beating Peru on penalties in June.
Against this backdrop, and with the ‘Golden Generation’ of Socceroos now gone, qualification is the prize for Graham Arnold’s men and anything more in Qatar is a bonus – including a repeat of the Gray Wiggle dance with which penalty shootout goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne secured their place.
If they are to succeed at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Australia will have to find a way to keep up with the best. Australia became the first country in World Cup qualifying history to win 11 consecutive games in a campaign, but then faced stronger teams and lost the automatic qualifying places with just one victory – at home against Vietnam – in seven matches. One point from four games with Saudi Arabia and Japan left the Socceroos needing tight play-off wins over the United Arab Emirates and Peru to book their place in Qatar; far more difficult challenges await you.
Indeed, Australia’s group in the final includes two familiar opponents: Denmark and defending champions France, against whom they were drawn in 2018.
They have a guts with the famous “Australian spirit” instilled by Arnold that shone in the play-offs, however. Ex-Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan is a mature influence with Champions League and Europa League experience, while the ever-composed Aaron Mooy leads the midfield and Ajdin Hrustic provides a creative spark essential.
However, the Socceroos have scored one goal in five qualifying matches against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Peru, underscoring their inability to break top teams now that there is no Tim Cahill to rely on for the match. individual brilliance. In defense, the penalties conceded to China and Oman showed great defensive naivety.
A win against Tunisia could set them up for knockouts, should they manage a result against Denmark or France, but their lack of power in attack will likely result in a winless campaign and an early exit.
Australia squad for the 2022 World Cup
Australia squad for the 2022 World Cup: the final 26-man squad
- GK: Mat Ryan (Copenhagen)
- G: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC)
- GK: Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)
- Defender: Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew)
- Defender: Fran Karacic (Brescia)
- Defender: Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts)
- Defender: Bailey Wright (Sunderland)
- Defender: Aziz Behich (Dundee United)
- Defender: Kye Rowles (Hearts)
- Defender: Harry Souttar (Stoke City)
- Defender: Joel King (OB)
- Defender: Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata)
- Central midfield: Ajdin Hrustic (Verona)
- MF: Aaron Mooy (Celtic)
- Midfielder: Riley McGree (Middlesbrough)
- MF: Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli)
- MF: Keanu Baccus (St Mirren)
- FM: Cameron Devlin (Hearts)
- AT: Martin Boyle (Hibernian)
- AT: Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City)
- AT: Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)
- AT: Awer Mabil (Cádiz)
- AT: Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama)
- AT: Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)
- Front: Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners)
- FW: Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners)
Australia top scorers
Australia top scorers
1 goal: Craig Goodwin
Yellow cards Australia
Yellow cards Australia
1 yellow card: Mitchell Duke, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy
Australia Manager
Who is Australia’s coach for the 2022 World Cup?
As Guus Hiddink’s assistant during Australia’s fine run in the 2006 World Cup to the round of 16, Graham Arnold was also caretaker coach for the failed 2007 Asian Cup campaign. secured a second stint in 2018 after excellent stints with Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC, and took Australia to Qatar, although his stubborn pragmatism had its detractors.
Australia star player
Who is the best Australian player?
Ajdin Hrustic is a prodigiously talented attacking midfielder who helped Eintracht Frankfurt win the Europa League last season before moving to Hellas Verona. The 26-year-old has a wicked left foot as well as the skill to beat an opponent and create a chance, and he netted the crucial play-off winner against the United Arab Emirates.
Australia 2022 World Cup squad: How many players are Australia allowed to take?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now 26-man squads are back for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion of the usual 23-man squads.
