With the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing ever closer, Australian players have started to arrive in Sarasota, Florida, for the commencement of a pre-tournament training camp -- one final chance in the heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast to prove their form and fitness under the watchful eye of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
Inclusion in the camp doesn't signal that the players will be in the squad for the World Cup itself, with that 26-player group set to be named on June 1 following a final friendly hitout against Mexico in Los Angeles on May 30. It will, however, serve as a proving ground for players to prove their form and fitness to the coaching staff, maintaining a sense of competitive tension, as well as a vital opportunity for Popovic to ensure that those he taps for the tournament meet his exacting physical requirements.
Further players will head to Florida as their domestic season commitments come to an end, with clubs required to have released all players -- barring those with specific exemptions for competitions such as the UEFA Champions League final -- by May 25
"Tony's journey in coming in and then seeing the players and personnel that he's brought in, he's done a really great job in being able to inject young talent within the team, but at the same time, he's provided many players the opportunity," Football Australia executive director of football Heather Garriock told ESPN.
"This camp is no different. Pre-World Cup camp, normally, a squad of 26 players would go over to pre-camp, and you'd prepare collectively. But he's created this real competitive environment in which he's done since the first day he took the role."
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Where is the Socceroos' pre-World Cup training camp?
The Socceroos' pre-World Cup training camp is taking place in Sarasota, about an hour's drive south of Tampa on the east coast of Florida. The squad will then relocate to Los Angeles at the end of the month for a pre-tournament friendly against Mexico, before then shifting to their World Cup base camp proper in Oakland, California.
How many players has Popovic called into the Socceroos' training camp?
Popovic has so far called 31 players into camp, a number that has reduced down to 30 with Hayden Matthews' injury. Around 35 players in total are expected to be brought in over the roughly three weeks the Socceroos will spend in Sarasota.
Who has left the Socceroos training camp?
Hayden Matthews, DEF, Portsmouth: Football Australia on Wednesday morning confirmed ESPN's initial report that Matthews has departed camp with an injury, ruling him out of contention for the World Cup. Given the Socceroos' depth at centre back and his injury hit campaign on the South Coast, making the squad was always going to be long odds for the defender, but it's still a cruel blow.
When will Australia name their 2026 FIFA World Cup squad?
Australia will name its 26-player squad for the World Cup on June 1, a few days after they play tournament co-hosts Mexico in a Los Angeles-based friendly. With squads still able to make injury-enforced changes before their opening group game, an additional half-dozen or so players will remain with the squad until Australia's fixture with Türkiye on June 13.
Why are the Socceroos not naming their squad until June 1?
You might have seen that several nations have already revealed their squads for the World Cup or, failing that, provided a definitive extended list that will be drawn from. The Socceroos, in contrast, are drip feeding arrivals into camp and won't formally name their 26-player unit until they're required to submit it on the FIFA deadline of June 1. But why?
First, as there are a few injury and fitness concerns hanging over players delaying announcing the squad gives the coaching staff a full training camp and a friendly against Mexico to judge their ability to contribute. Additionally, there's a few players who aren't at a physical level that Popovic deems necessary to compete at the tournament -- namedropping Nishan Velupillay as an example in his pre-departure remarks -- and this gives him an extended period to make sure they're up to his exacting standards.
Additionally, if FIFA are going to give Popovic until June 1, it makes sense to take absolute advantage -- even if he's said that 70-80% of the squad is settled on in his mind. And given he's confident that the chemistry of the group will be fine regardless, there would appear few downsides.
Which players have arrived at the Socceroos' pre-World Cup training camp?
GOALKEEPERS
Patrick Beach, GK, Melbourne City: Was called in as third-choice goalkeeper for the Socceroos' most recent windows but couldn't replicate his strong first half of the A-League Men season through the back end of the the domestic campaign. Will battle Gauci and possibly Harrison Devenish-Meares for the final goalkeeping place in the squad.
Joe Gauci, GK, Port Vale: Looked nailed-on to be a part of the World Cup squad for most of the cycle -- at one point supplanting Mathew Ryan in the XI -- but a miserable season (FA Cup run notwithstanding) at Port Vale as they were relegated from League One has brought him into competition for the third goalkeeper role.
DEFENDERS
Aziz Behich, DEF, Melbourne City: The ever-dependable veteran shapes as a near-certain selection in Popovic's squad and will give the coach greater scope to deploy Jordan Bos further forward should he choose.
Jordan Bos, DEF, Feyenoord: Coming to the end of his first Eredivisie season, there's a case to be made that Bos is the Socceroos most dangerous player. That, however, is when he's on the park, and after spending multiple seasons being haunted by soft-tissue injuries, national team staff will be keen to get eyes on him in Florida and do what they need to do to ensure he's able to withstand the grind of playing at a World Cup intensity on short turnarounds.
Cameron Burgess, DEF, Swansea City: Was an absolute machine in playing every minute of every Championship game with Swansea this season and shapes as a likely starter at the World Cup.
Miloš Degenek, DEF, APOEL Nicosia: The emergence of Kai Trewin and Lucas Herrington, combined with irregular football at club level, had cast somewhat of a shadow over Degenek's candidacy for the squad, but, fortunately for the veteran, he arrives in Florida with a few successive starts at APOEL under his belt. There's plenty of competition at center back, so the 32-year-old will be hoping his leadership, commitment, versatility and experience bolster his case for selection.
Jason Geria, DEF, Albirex Niigata: After going from forgotten man to a Socceroos regular under Popovic, Geria lands in Florida looking to make that one-last push to become a World Cup player. Unlike Duke, Geria opted to remain in Japan during their 100 Year Vision League, but this means that, after Niigata's relegation during the last J1 League season, he's been playing in the J2/J3 variety. That's not the highest level of competition, so the versatile defender will be looking to impress.
Jacob Italiano, DEF, Grazer AK: With Lewis Miller going down with an Achilles injury, Italiano now shapes as a likely starter at right wing-back at the World Cup -- certainly when Popovic wants more attacking impetus down that flank. After spending several years hidden away in the reserves of Borussia Mönchengladbach, the 24-year-old has logged approximately 2000 minutes across back-to-back Austrian seasons and should have had plenty of time to build his fitness after a midseason calf injury.
Dylan Leonard, DEF, Schalke 04: Probably the best prospect to come out of Western United before the A-League club was placed into hibernation, registration issues and injury restricted Leonard to just two appearances and 21 minutes with Schalke as they secured promotion to the Bundesliga, but he's a very exciting prospect for the future. This feels like a camp invite with the 2027 Asian Cup in mind.
Harry Souttar, DEF, Leicester City: After missing over a year's worth of football with an Achilles injury, the towering defender is looking to build and prove his fitness in Florida after making a strong return to football in Leicester's last two league games. He shapes as a near-certain World Cup starter if he avoids breaking down.
Gianni Stensness, DEF, Viking FK: A string of serious injuries means that Stensness hasn't been called up by the Socceroos for three years, and he last played during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. However, now that he's back healthy and playing week-in-and-week-out, his form in Norway and his versatility absolutely makes him worth having a look at in camp. A dark horse to make the squad.
MIDFIELDERS
Anthony Cáceres, MID, Macarthur FC: Capped four times by Popovic, Cáceres hasn't been a part of a squad since the end of qualifying and looms as a long shot, but the Bulls' absence from A-League finals has given him the chance to arrive in camp early and do what he can to push for a return.
Cameron Devlin, MID, Hearts: A beloved terrier who played a pivotal role in Hearts' push to break the four-decade-long Glasgow-dupoly over Scottish football, which ended in heartbreak on the final day of the campaign. The 27-year-old yet to log a minute for the Socceroos under Popovic despite multiple call-ups, so even with injuries elsewhere in the midfield, he's got plenty of work to earn a spot in the 26.
Ajdin Hrustic, MID, Heracles Almelo: Results-wise, it was a season to forget for Hrustić as Heracles were relegated from the Dutch top flight but, after years of frustration at club level, he did log 2,222 minutes of league football -- the most ever in his career -- to bolster his case for selection.
Jackson Irvine, MID, St. Pauli: Irvine has been battling through pain and a series of injuries for over a year, with Popovic as recently as February fearful that the midfielder would miss the World Cup altogether. Arriving in Florida after playing through a foot complaint in an unsuccessful attempt to help St Pauli avoid relegation in the Bundesliga, the veteran, who would be a certain starter if fit, will be carefully managed by staff in Florida to get him to the physical level he needs to be.
Mathew Leckie, MID/FWD, Melbourne City: Popovic was effusive in his praise of Leckie in his pre-departure remarks and with injuries elsewhere across the Socceroos' midfield, the 35-year-old's chances of being in the squad are rising dramatically. While his body might not let him start three-straight games at a World Cup intensity, it's easy to see how Popovic might want him around to start at least one of them.
Aiden O'Neill, MID, New York City FC: After being forced from the field with an ankle injury in a loss to D.C. United on May 4, O'Neill has been released early by New York City to get him into Socceroos camp and allow national team staff to get eyes on him. A likely starter if fit, his fitness looms as one of Florida's biggest stories.
Alex Robertson, MID, Cardiff City: Injuries to Patrick Yazbek and O'Neill have suddenly brought the Socceroos' midfield stocks into focus, and after nailing down a place in Cardiff's side during their run to promotion to the Championship, Robertson will arrive in camp with an opportunity presenting itself.
FORWARDS
Daniel Bennie, FWD, Queens Park Rangers: Has maintained a steady rise since breaking out with Perth Glory and, while a World Cup berth is likely too long a bow (could he play right wingback?), his arrival in this camp brings next year's Asian Cup into focus. Those terrified of Bennie switching to Scotland are going to need to find a new cause célèbre.
Raphael Borges Rodrigues, FWD, Wigan Athletic: Like Bennie, Raphael's arrival in camp is almost certainly occurring with one eye towards the Asian Cup next year. However, the young winger brings electric ability on the ball into camp and will bring a bit of excitement to proceedings, if nothing else.
Brandon Borrello, FWD, Western Sydney Wanderers: Borrello, like everyone else at the club, did not have a good A-League season with Western Sydney, but has been a part of Popovic's squads in the past. With his schedule wide open after the Wanderers' season ending early, that's got him into camp.
Martin Boyle, FWD, Hibernian: After being forced to withdraw from the Socceroos' 2022 World Cup squad, Boyle will undoubtedly land in Sarasota desperate to do all he can to ensure he doesn't miss out this time around. A veteran head amid relatively young attacking stocks and able to play inside, he hasn't had his best games for the Socceroos in his most recent hit-outs, but he continues to be amongst the goals at Easter Road, all the while wearing the armband.
Nick D'Agostino, FWD, Brisbane Roar: Previously a part of Popovic's sides at both Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory, D'Agostino had been battling hard for selection before an injury cruelled his late push. If he can prove he's at the physical level required, he's perhaps a better chance for selection than many would think.
Mitchell Duke, FWD, Macarthur FC: The veteran striker sits firmly on the bubble of the squad, with his early arrival in camp giving him the chance to impress as he battles the likes of Deni Juric and D'Agostino for a spot on the plane.
Nestory Irankunda, FWD, Watford: Between stints on the bench, coaching changes, and up-and-down results at Vicarage Road, 2025-26 was probably the most challenging season of Irankunda's career. But getting through adversity is something Popovic, a big-time believer in Irankunda, wants to see from the attacker, and while he might end up serving as a weapon off the bench, camp in Florida gives him a chance to push his starting case.
Connor Metcalfe, FWD, St. Pauli: Starts have proven difficult for Metcalfe to come by at the Millerntor-Stadion, instead utilized largely off the bench by St. Pauli boss Alexander Blessin. The 26-year-old, however, has established himself as a regular in Popovic's XIs thanks to his versatility, fitness, work ethic, and fit for the Socceroos' system. Given his sporadic football, Metcalfe will likely be put through his paces in Florida to bring his conditioning up a bit, but he's a good bet for the final 26-player squad.
Ante Šuto, FWD, Hibernian: After switching eligibility from Croatia to Australia, Šuto was called up for the March window but departed camp without seeing the field. He didn't start or score after the Scottish Premiership's season split in early April, so he's going to need to hit the ground running to press his case -- especially since striking rivals Duke and D'Agostino have more than a week's head start in Florida on him.
Mohamed Toure, FWD, Norwich City: Touré thrived after replacing Josh Sargent at Norwich during the January transfer window and ended the Championship season with 12 goal involvements in 11 games. Has an inside track on the Socceroos' starting striker role.
Nishan Velupillay, FWD, Melbourne Victory: There was a clear uptick in Velupillay's form and demeanour following his return to the Socceroos in March, and now he'll get an extended period to bring his physical level up to Popovic's standards in Florida. Given his skillset matches the coach's system, he's a good chance for the 26.