Australia squad for November friendlies — Popovic names roster despite doubts over Jordan clash
Australia is scheduled to play Qatar in Doha on November 13 and Jordan four days later in Amman, but the latter game is in doubt given the conflict in the region.
Updated : Nov 08, 2026 13:39 IST , Sydney - 3 MINS READ
“We will have an eye on continuing to evolve the squad for the future, with our World Cup 2030 qualifying campaign and the Asian Cup both now in the second half of 2027,” Tony Popovic. Australia’s head coach, said. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP
“We will have an eye on continuing to evolve the squad for the future, with our World Cup 2030 qualifying campaign and the Asian Cup both now in the second half of 2027,” Tony Popovic. Australia’s head coach, said. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP
Football Australia said it was continuing to assess security ahead of the Socceroos’ two upcoming friendlies in the Middle East, with an under-strength squad named amid player safety concerns.
Australia is scheduled to play Qatar in Doha on November 13 and Jordan four days later in Amman, but the latter game is in doubt given the conflict in the region.
Football Australia chief Martin Kugeler said in a statement late Saturday, “the safety and wellbeing of our players and staff remains our highest priority”.
“For the match against Jordan, we will continue to assess the security environment and provide players and staff with timely, comprehensive updates, including relevant safety advice and risk assessments,” he added.
The games were meant to be preparation for the Asian Cup which has been postponed from January to December 2027 due to security worries in host country Saudi Arabia which has been targeted by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
Professional Footballers Australia, which represents the players, on Friday said the Jordan match should not go ahead in Amman.
“With the full support of the PFA, the players have overwhelmingly expressed their view that the Jordan match should be rescheduled or relocated,” said chief executive Beau Busch.
Only 11 members of Australia’s World Cup squad were included in the 25-strong lineup for the two games.
Coach Tony Popovic named seven potential debutants, including Diesel Herrington -- the brother of Hull City defender Lucas Herrington. Two other brothers -- Tete Yengi and Kusini Yengi -- were also included.
“We will have an eye on continuing to evolve the squad for the future, with our World Cup 2030 qualifying campaign and the Asian Cup both now in the second half of 2027,” said Popovic.
“This camp gives us another chance to work with new players and see how they fit into what we are building.”
AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR NOVEMBER FRIENDLIES
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach, Joe Gauci, Tom Glover.
Defenders: Kealey Adamson, Aziz Behich, Alessandro Circati, Jason Geria, Diesel Herrington, Lucas Herrington, Harry Souttar.
Midfielders: Eli Adams, Daniel Arzani, Kasey Bos, Jacob Italiano, Sam Klein, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Paul Okon-Engstler, Gianni Stensness, Patrick Yazbek.
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda, Thomas Waddingham, Kusini Yengi, Tete Yengi, Marcus Younis.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Nov 08, 2026
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