Matthews Out, Leonard In for Socceroos World Cup Prep

Matthews Injured, Leonard earns first call-up by Socceroos

Australia defender Hayden Matthews is likely out of the World Cup with injury. 18-year-old Dylan Leonard joins the training squad ahead of final selections.

Injury ends Hayden Matthews’ World Cup hopes as 18-year-old Dylan Leonard earns a surprise call-up to Australia’s training squad in Florida...

Socceroos defender Hayden Matthews has withdrawn from Australia’s pre-World Cup camp in Florida due to injury, creating an opening for uncapped 18-year-old Dylan Leonard to join the squad.

Portsmouth centre-back Matthews is unlikely to feature at the World Cup from June 11 to July 19 after suffering an ankle injury, according to reports.

Hayden Matthews injured at the Socceroos training camp in the US. Will now miss the World Cup. Disappointing for the youngster.

— Rossco (@rossco1304) May 19, 2026

Schalke 04’s Dylan Leonard has received his first call-up to the Australia squad.

Leonard is among 12 new additions to the training group in Sarasota, which also includes defender Gianni Stensness, who returns for the first time since October 2024.

The newcomers join 19 players already in camp as coach Tony Popovic prepares to name his final 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Cameron Devlin, Martin Boyle, and Ante Suto linked up from Scotland, while Jacob Italiano, Jason Geria, Milos Degenek, Aiden O'Neill, and Jordan Bos were also added to the group.

🗓️ Here's confirmation of our #FIFAWorldCup Group D Match Schedule 💪#Socceroos pic.twitter.com/JyYsMP02ot

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 31, 2026

Australia will face Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay in the group stage of the World Cup.