Australia Call Up Triantis and Two Other Uncapped Centre-Backs for World Cup Qualifiers

Australia head coach Tony Popovic has called up six uncapped players, including three centre-backs, to his 26-man squad for this month’s critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

The Socceroos face Indonesia in Sydney next Thursday, followed by China in Hangzhou five days later. They aim to secure the second automatic qualifying spot in Group C behind leaders Japan.

With regular centre-backs Harry Souttar and Hayden Matthews out for the season due to injuries, Popovic has turned to Kai Trewin, Alex Grant, and Nectarios Triantis to bolster the defense. Triantis, a Sydney-born Greek Australian with heritage from both parents, brings versatility to the squad—he’s represented Australia at youth international levels and currently plays for Scottish club Hibernian. In goal, Mat Ryan is set to earn his 97th and 98th caps, but a hip injury to usual backup Joe Gauci has opened the door for uncapped keepers Paul Izzo and Tom Glover.

Midfielder Ryan Teague, also uncapped and playing in the A-League, joins the squad and will compete with Aiden O’Neill for the holding midfield role, though Triantis can also fill that position. Up top, 31-year-old striker Adam Taggart earns a recall, while veteran Mitch Duke and teenage standout Nestory Irankunda were left out.

Popovic, who took charge late last year following a shaky start to the third round of Asian qualifying under Graham Arnold, emphasized the stakes. “It was a whirlwind start to my tenure, but since November, we’ve reviewed and assessed every aspect of our program,” he said. “We know how vital these games are and are eager to solidify our spot among the group’s automatic qualifiers.”

Australia currently sit second in Group C, nine points behind Japan and one point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China, with four matches left. Should they miss out on an automatic berth, the Socceroos could still reach a sixth consecutive World Cup through a fourth qualifying round and intercontinental playoffs.