Schalke rising star called into Socceroos train-on squad
Among the twelve players have been added to Australia's World Cup train-on squad at the conclusion of a number of European leagues this week is Schalke midfielder Dylan Leonard, whose long-awaited debut for the promoted 2. Bundesliga team last month made headlines in his home country.
Leonard is joined in the squad fellow Germany-based stars Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (both St. Pauli), Scotland-based players Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Martin Boyle, and Ante Suto (both Hibernian).
Gianni Stensness (Viking), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Milos Degenek (APOEL FC), Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC), and Jordan Bos (Feyenoord) have also been added to the train-on squad.
This marks Leonard’s first Socceroos call-up, while Stensness has been named in the squad for the first time since October 2024. The new additions will arrive this week, joining the 19 players already at the pre-camp in Sarasota.
Meanwhile Portsmouth defender Hayden Matthews has departed camp due to injury.
The players already in Sarasota are: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Daniel Bennie (QPR), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Coventry City), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Anthony Caceres (Macarthur FC), Nick D’Agostino (Brisbane Roar), Mitch Duke (Macarthur FC), Joe Gauci (Port Vale, on loan from Aston Villa), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Paul Izzo (Randers), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Alex Robertson (Cardiff City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City), and Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).
Australia coach Tony Popovic and the Socceroos coaching staff are using the Sarasota camp to assess a wider pool of players in the train-on squad before finalising their selection. More players will be added to the train-on squad in the coming weeks.
The final squad, of up to 26 players, is due to be submitted to FIFA by 1 June.
The Socceroos begin their campaign against Turkiye in Vancouver on 13 June. Drawn in Group D, Australia will also face tournament co-host United States in Seattle (19 June) and Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara (25 June).
Australia takes on tournament co-host Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on 30 June.
