Socceroos squad announced for expanded World Cup: Ryan and Leckie eye fourth appearance

Australia is gearing up for its sixth consecutive appearance in the men's World Cup, a journey that carries a different complexion compared to the golden generation's knockout run in 2006 or the recent Qatar World Cup in 2022. This year's tournament is notably expanded to 48 teams and will be staged across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Coach Tony Popovic has revealed the 26-player squad tasked with representing the Socceroos. Among them, Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie are set to make history, appearing in their fourth World Cup. This achievement matches the record held by Australian men's internationals Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan, cementing their status as legends of the game.

The squad also features exciting new talent. Eighteen-year-old Lucas Herrington has earned a spot after a rapid rise in recent months, marking his first World Cup appearance. He is joined by Cristian Volpato, who recently switched his international allegiance from Italy just days before the squad announcement, adding an intriguing dynamic to the team.

Australia's campaign begins against Paraguay on Sunday at 2 p.m. (AEST). The Socceroos will face tough competition in their group, drawn against Türkiye, the USA, and Paraguay. The opening match of the entire tournament kicks off earlier on Friday at 5 a.m. (AEST) between hosts Mexico and South Africa. ABC Sport will provide live blogs for every match of the tournament.