Australia have officially begun their road to the FIFA World Cup 2026, with head coach Tony Popovic leading an initial group of players to the United States for a crucial pre-tournament training camp.
Eight players will join Popovic in Sarasota, Florida, as they aim to secure a place in the final World Cup squad. Among those making the trip are:
Both defenders will be eager to impress as competition for spots intensifies.
Following the Florida camp, the Socceroos will move to Los Angeles to face World Cup co-hosts Mexico in a high-profile friendly at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena later this month.
Popovic is expected to name his final squad on 1 June, shortly before the tournament begins.
Australia face a challenging group stage schedule:
Popovic emphasized the importance of the upcoming camp as he evaluates his squad options.
“We will use the pre-camp as an opportunity to observe and assess a number of players,” said the former Crystal Palace defender. “There is still a lot to play out.”
With many domestic leagues still ongoing, the Australian boss confirmed he is closely monitoring a wide pool of players.
“The aim is to have as many players as possible available and in contention before finalising our World Cup squad.”
As the countdown to World Cup 2026 begins, this US training camp marks a decisive phase for the Socceroos. With places still up for grabs, every session—and every performance—could determine who makes the final cut.
