Tony Popovic has opened the door for a Socceroos World Cup selection shock by including 17-year-old fullback James Overy in the squad for two crucial friendlies later this month.
The Manchester United youth player has trained with the first team at club level since returning from Australia’s campaign at the U-20 World Cup in Chile last month, reportedly impressing Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim.
The Socceroos head coach brought in the highly-touted right-back – who grew up in Perth but has also represented Scotland at youth level – as part of 11 changes to the squad selected for last month’s friendlies against the USA and Canada.
Australia will play Venezuela in Houston on 14 November before taking on Colombia in New York, as the side ramps up its preparations for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Although Popovic has cast his net wide, bringing in six other uncapped players including four from the A-League Men, the two matches carry extra importance for the Socceroos as they look to boost their world ranking and improve their chance of being placed in a more favourable group when the World Cup draw takes place on 5 December.
The uncapped domestic contingent is made of up Paul Okon-Engstler and Al Hassan Toure from Sydney FC, and Melbourne City duo Kai Trewin and Patrick Beach. The only other A-League Men player named the squad is Adelaide United winger Craig Goodwin.
Deni Juric – the 28-year-old brother of former Socceroo Tomi – has been called up for the first time. The forward has spent his entire career in Europe, largely in Croatia, and has started regularly for Wisla Plock in Poland’s top flight since joining the club in September.
Overy’s inclusion is a milestone in his steady ascension. The Guardian named him one of the 60 best young talents in world football last year.
After impressing in a friendly for Perth Glory against West Ham two years ago, Overy moved with his family to the UK amid reported interest from multiple clubs before signing with United. However, the teenager’s progress was stalled by an Achilles injury that sidelined him for eight months.
That injury appears past him now, and Overy was the youngest player in Australia’s U-20 World Cup side which lost two matches and won once in the group stage in Chile.
The teenager was reportedly invited to train with the Manchester United first team under Amorim on three occasions last month, elevating his profile and prompting a surge of interest from fans.
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Popovic said the selections were made to “expand the depth” of the Socceroos, and expose young players to senior international football.
“We also welcome back some familiar faces, from Australia and abroad,” Popovic said. “I’ve had the chance to closely observe the opening rounds of the A-League season, and we believe this is the ideal time to integrate domestic players into the squad.”
Captain Jackson Irvine has been named in an Australia squad for the first time since March following his return from a foot injury for St Pauli in Germany, while Nestory Irankunda has been included even as the 19-year-old appears to have lost his starting spot at Watford under new coach Javi Gracia.
