The Socceroos will play their first internationals since the 2026 FIFA World Cup against five-time world champions Brazil in Queensland this week.
It is the team’s first meeting since they played at the MCG in June 2017.
The Socceroos have only ever beaten Brazil once, a 1-0 victory in the 2001 Confederations Cup third-place play-off thanks to Shaun Murphy’s 84th-minute strike.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Queensland Series.
When are the Socceroos playing?
The Socceroos are back in action on home soil. (Getty Images: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
The first game is on Friday, September 25 at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The second is on Tuesday, September 29 at Brisbane’s Lang Park.
For both games, kick-off is 8pm AEST, meaning Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT.
In the Northern Territory and South Australia, kick-off is 7:30pm and in Western Australia, it’s 6pm.
How can I watch the Socceroos?
Friday night’s game in Townsville is available to watch across Network 10 on free to air and Paramount+, you just need to check your local guides.
Tuesday night’s game in Brisbane is only available on subscription streaming service Paramount+.
Alternatively, you can follow both games in full on the ABC Sport live blog.
Who is in the Socceroos squad?
Lucas Herrington is back on home soil for the first time since his move to Hull. (Getty Images: PA Images/Annabel Lee-Ellis)
With July’s Round of 32 penalty shootout defeat to Egypt in Dallas firmly in the rear-view mirror, coach Tony Popovic‘s eyes are now gazing forward towards January’s AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
As such, Popovic has called up seven uncapped youngsters: Dylan Leonard (19 years old), Marcus Younis (21), Kasey Bos (22), Kealey Adamson (23), Yaya Dukuly (23) and Eli Adams (24), while Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek, who both missed the World Cup through injury, return.
Nestory Irankunda will hope to lead the line and test himself against some of the sport’s biggest names.
Hull City centre back and Brisbane local Lucas Herrington has had a superb start to life in the Premier League and will look forward to play in front of his friends and family.
Only one player, Sydney FC’s Aziz Behich, plies his trade in the A-League Men.
Who is not in the Socceroos squad?
Mohamed Touré scored six goals in nine appearances in all competitions for Norwich this season before getting injured. (Getty Images: MI News/NurPhoto/David Watts)
Popovic was dealt a blow by injuries to Mohamed Touré and Alexander Robertson in the last week.
Touré, who has been on fire for Norwich in the Championship, has a shoulder injury which could lead to a lengthy lay-off, while Robertson is reportedly being rested by Cardiff after a heavy workload at the start of their campaign.
Several other World Cup players were not selected, namely Cammy Devlin, Awer Mabil, Kai Trewin, Mat Leckie and Ajdin Hrustić.
After the shambolic way his World Cup ended, keeper Mat Ryan has also been dropped, despite playing well for Levante in La Liga.
Cameron Burgess and Jordan Bos are out with long-term injuries, while Cristian Volpato was left out with a hamstring strain.
Volpato was also charged by police over driving with cocaine in his system, a charge he says he will challenge.
Who is in Brazil’s squad?
VinÃcius Júnior headlines Brazil’s squad. (Getty Images: Lars Baron)
Legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti copped a fair amount of criticism for the Seleção’s last-16 exit at the World Cup, but just as much flack for his erratic approach to selection.
The five-time Champions League-winning coach was adamant that he would not pick players based on reputation for the World Cup, only to surprisingly select a desperately out-of-form and unfit Neymar Junior, whose only contribution to Brazil’s poor performances in the USA was to embarrassingly taunt Norway’s goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland after slotting a consolation, stoppage time penalty in their 2-1 defeat.
Neymar has since retired from internationals and Brazil is now firmly on the rebuild.
“Friendlies are used to have a look at different players … players who I don’t know really well,” Ancellotti said this week.
Of the 26-man squad, Ancelotti has selected 10 from the domestic Brasileirão Série A, including all three goalkeepers, leaving Liverpool’s Alison Becker at home.
There are eight players from the English Premier League in the squad though and a collection of experienced stars from Italy, Spain and France, which Ancelotti said was crucial to Brazil’s revival.
“I chose these players — Marquinhos, Gabriel [Magalhães], Bruno [Guimarães], Raphinha and Vini Jr. — to help with this change in direction. They are crucial for the future,” Ancelotti said.
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