Graham Arnold Eyes New Talent for Socceroos

The Socceroos face crucial World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia, with coach Graham Arnold weighing options to replace injured midfielder Ajdin Hrustic.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold expressed concerns about midfielder Ajdin Hrustic's absence, saying it was “certainly a blow” for the team ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.

“He played very well for us in the last (international) window and has been doing very well at St. Pauli,” Arnold said. “It’s a blow, but we have to find a solution. There are solutions.” He added that the team would monitor A-League players and midfielders playing overseas, noting, “We’ve got an eye on the A-League players that are playing, but we’ve got a lot of midfielders playing overseas at the moment, getting regular minutes, so we’re monitoring everyone. There’s an opportunity for someone to come in.”

Coach Graham Arnold has hinted that uncapped midfielders Max Balard and Nectarios Triantis could be considered for Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign due to the absence of veteran Ajdin Hrustic.

Australia, currently second in Group C with 13 points, needs to maintain their position to directly qualify for the World Cup. Japan has already secured qualification with 20 points, while Saudi Arabia trails Australia by three points and is still in contention for an automatic berth with a top-two finish.

Australia's World Cup qualifiers campaign has hit a significant roadblock with midfielder Jackson Irvine ruled out for at least three months due to a foot injury requiring surgery. Irvine, who plays for Bundesliga club St. Pauli, will miss crucial June qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Coach Tony Popovic is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement, considering both A-League players and those playing overseas. “It's a setback, but we need to find a solution,” Popovic said, adding that the team is monitoring uncapped midfielders Max Balard and Nectarios Triantis, who could potentially step up. Other options might include Riley McGree, who's been struggling with fitness, and Alessandro Circati, who's recovering from an ACL injury and could earn a recall.

The Socceroos face a challenging road ahead, compounded by injuries to defensive leader Harry Souttar and wingback Jordan Bos. Australia's qualification fate will be decided in matches against Japan on June 5 and Saudi Arabia on June 10, with the top two teams in Group C securing direct entry to the 2026 World Cup. A training camp in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for late May, where the coaching staff will evaluate options and finalize tactics.

The third and fourth-placed teams in the group will have additional opportunities to qualify during the fourth round. Ahead of the qualifiers, Australia will hold a training camp in Abu Dhabi in late May, allowing the coaching staff to assess potential options.

Coach Graham Arnold mentioned that young defender Alessandro Circati, who is recovering from an ACL injury, could be evaluated soon. “Paul Okon will be going to visit him in the next few days to have a really close look at where he’s at in terms of his training and to see his level,” Arnold said. “He feels he's ready, but we have to consider all factors before selecting him.”