Irankunda Dropped from Socceroos World Cup Squad

Nestory Irankunda, the 18-year-old talent from Bayern Munich, has been unexpectedly dropped from the Socceroos squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as coach Tony Popovic has opted for experience and recent performers instead. Sydney FC right-back Rhyan Grant, who had not played internationally since 2021, has been included alongside uncapped players Max Balard, Anthony Caceres, and Hayden Matthews. The squad retains a core of players from recent matches, with changes reflecting a balance between youth and experience. Popovic emphasized the importance of these fixtures, aiming to solidify the team's playing style while striving for success in the qualifiers. Australia is currently second in their group and must perform well to secure a direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup. The qualifiers will kick off with a home match against Saudi Arabia on November 14.