Mathew Leckie and Harry Souttar have successfully demonstrated their fitness ahead of Tony Popovic’s upcoming announcement regarding the Socceroos' World Cup squad.

Pre-Tournament Friendly Insights

The Socceroos faced one of the host nations in their first of two pre-tournament friendlies, which served dual purposes for coach Tony Popovic. The match provided a glimpse into the unique challenges expected at the World Cup, featuring a perplexing refereeing performance, two cooling breaks, and a lively crowd of over 78,000 at the Rose Bowl. However, the game also acted as a final assessment for Popovic as he prepares to reduce his squad from 30 to 26 players.

While the Socceroos' performance was not particularly revealing, as they lost 1-0 after a lackluster first half followed by a more spirited yet ineffective second half, it did allow Popovic to evaluate key players. Notably, Leckie and Souttar, both returning to the national team after absences since 2024, were able to showcase their fitness despite limited play in the current domestic season.

Player Performances

Leckie, now 35, has had a challenging season with Melbourne City, making only six appearances due to hip and hamstring issues. He was the only player from the Isuzu UTE A-League to start the match, playing 67 minutes before being substituted. Other A-League representatives, including Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay, and veteran Aziz Behich, came on in the second half.

Although Leckie struggled to make a significant impact during the match, his fitness may have solidified his position for a fourth World Cup appearance. In contrast, Souttar has faced an even tougher battle for playing time at Leicester City, featuring only in the last two matches of the season after recovering from an Achilles injury. He played the full match in Pasadena, contributing significantly with his height and presence, particularly on set pieces.

Looking Ahead

After the match, Souttar expressed his joy at returning to the national team, stating, “It’s always an honour to pull on this shirt and honestly I’ve missed it so, so much.” He acknowledged the anticipation surrounding the squad announcement, recognizing that some players will inevitably be disappointed. With the World Cup approaching, the focus now shifts to Popovic's final decisions as he prepares his team for the tournament.