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Australia Finalizes Squad for Their 2022 World Cup Campaign

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Australia had to stick to the very end of their qualifiers round to secure a place at the FIFA World Cup 2022. But the Socceroos were one of the few teams who published their 26-man squad for the event in Qatar quite early.

For Australia FIFA 2022 is their fifth consecutive appearance at the tournament but the team has never been able to make it out of the group stages. This time they definitely want to extend their run beyond the first stage.

Who are the players that Australia is taking to their 26-man squad for FIFA 2022?

The Confirmed List Of Players Going To Qatar For Australia

PositionPlayerClubAgeCaps
GoalkeeperMaty RyanFC Copenhagen (DEN)3075
GoalkeeperAndrew RedmayneSydney FC (AUS)333
GoalkeeperDanny VukovicCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)374
DefenderMilos DegenekColumbus Crew (USA)2838
DefenderAziz BehichDundee United (SCO)3153
DefenderJoel KingOB (DAN)213
DefenderNathaniel AtkinsonHearts (SCO)235
DefenderFran KaracicBrescia (ITA)2610
DefenderHarry SouttarStoke City (ENG)2310
DefenderKye RowlesHearts (SCO)243
DefenderBailey WrightSunderland (ENG)3027
DefenderThomas DengAlbirex Niigata (JAP)252
MidfielderAaron MooyCeltic (SCO)3253
MidfielderJackson IrvineSt Pauli (GER)2949
MidfielderAjdin HrusticHellas Verona (ITA)2620
MidfielderKeanu BaccusSt Mirren (SCO2953
MidfielderCameron DevlinHearts (SCO)241
MidfielderRiley McGreeMiddlesbrough (ENG)2310
ForwardAwer MabilCadiz (SPA)2729
ForwardMathew LeckieMelbourne City (AUS)3172
ForwardMartin BoyleHibernian (SCO)2919
ForwardJamie MaclarenMelbourne City (AUS)2926
ForwardJason CummingsCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)271
ForwardMitchell DukeFagiano Okayama (JAP)3120
ForwardGarang KuolCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)181
ForwardCraig GoodwinAdelaide United (AUS)3010

Group Table

Two teams, France and Denmark from their group stage are the same opponents they faced four years ago in the tournament’s same stage. The only difference is that in 2018 they had Peru while they now have Tunisia as their third group-contender.

Australia Group Fixtures

DateMatchTime (ET)Stadium
Tue, Nov. 22France vs. Australia2 p.m.Al Janoub Stadium
Sat, Nov. 26Tunisia vs. Australia5 a.m.Al Janoub Stadium
Wed, Nov. 30Australia vs. Denmark10 a.m.Al Janoub Stadium

Australia Strengths

They are also among the teams that have a well-balanced mixture of youth and experience.

Australia has plenty of European club talents in the likes of Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Riley McGree, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Maty Ryan, Fran Karacic, Aaron Mooy, and others.

Regulars at the back, Harry Souttar, and Kye Rowels are both free of their injury problems just in time for the big event.

Playing at the Scottish top flight, Mooy and Boyle are also on the squad list. For some time, they have been the two consistent performers of their national team.

Their playmaker, Ajdin Hrustic has also been showing some potential to match the top club-playing midfielders. Recently Hrustic has been increasing his creativity to move the ball forward in every other game. And there are several others each akin to the abilities mentioned above.  In fact, never has the Australian midfield seen so many talented options in comparison to their previous international tournaments.

The defense also has the notable presence of Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles who recently has been getting the attention of the European clubs’ favorites for Europa League competitions.

Australia Weaknesses

Two main men, Martin Boyle and Ajdin Hruat might not be able to give their 100% at the tournament due to their recent injury problems.

Since the retirement of Tim Cahill, Australia hasn’t had an assured man in the attacking line. They did have fun scoring against weaker teams in the qualifiers round but couldn’t find the net when going toe to toe against Japan and other Asian big names.

Due to the lack of a proper converter ahead, at times, it seems like scoring goals just isn’t in the cards for them.

They also struggle when it’s their turn to have prolonged possession, especially against a team that likes to sit back. They are also too slow to reorganize their defense when a transition is being run against them.

Expectations On Australia

France and Denmark are clearly looking at Australia as a fixture promising enough to give them three points. And it very well may be the case as both the aforesaid teams have far bigger talents either in their midfield or attack and even the defense than Australia currently possesses.

While they first face the reigning world champion France in the group stage, it’s their second match against Tunisia where their aspirations to achieve something new in the FIFA tournament should be the highest ever. If they do get 3 points from the African team, they might become a relatively bigger headache for Denmark than expected.

However considering two clear favorites in the group stage, this time, too, Australia has very small odds of making it past the group phase.

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