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The next generation of Socceroos stars will debut against Mexico this month and they will be mentored by World Cup hero Graham Arnold after he rejected overtures from the Scottish Premiership to commit to Australia.
Arnold was the toast of Australian football in 2022 after steering the Socceroos to an unprecedented two wins in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar before an honourable 2-1 loss to eventual champions Argentina.
His stocks rose on a global level, with Scottish club Hibernian the leading contender, but Arnold has rejected them, insisting he has more to achieve with the Socceroos.
The Socceroos have received a timely boost with coach Graham Arnold re-signing to help steer Australia to the next FIFA World Cup
Arnold made Socceroos history with his young squad in Qatar with Australia achieving two group stage wins for the first time in history
Aziz Behich got the chance to go toe-to-toe with champion Argentina skipper Lionel Messi at the World Cup and he will line up against Mexico as well
‘I will say I love coaching our nation, I feel I’ve got a great job,’ Arnold continued.
‘For me it’s all about Mexico, getting ourselves ready for that and developing and helping our boys in Australia.
‘I spoke to their owner and at this moment the timing’s not right.
‘I have a job on my hands here and I have full focus on the Socceroos.’
Australia will begin its next World Cup – and AFC Asian Cup – cycles on September 10 with a friendly against World No 12 Mexico in Dallas, United States.
A 23-man roster has been assembled by Arnold for the clash including five debutants along with seasoned heads like goalkeeper Mat Ryan, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie.
Aaron Mooy will be one familiar face not present in Dallas after the Celtic star shocked Australian football with his retirement from football in June.
Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Glover, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Sam Silvera are the new faces hoping to gain valuable time in the green and gold.
The Socceroos will be looking for a new star midfielder after Aaron Mooy shocked many by retiring at just 32 in June
Martin Boyle was cruelly ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an ACL injury but has been given a chance to impress against Mexico
Cameron Burgess was a surprise selection for the match against Mexico but Arnold has had his eyes on the talented defender for a while.
Spots in the qualification teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the side to take on the Asian Cup in 2024 are on the line and Graham is hoping to get a look at the next wave of talent in America.
Scottish-born talent Burgess is one that Arnold is especially keen to get a look at, after the Ipswich Town defender was ruled out of the recent clash with Argentina through injury.
‘I was impressed with his performance and we’ve been watching him for probably about 12 months,’ Arnold said.
And obviously, he’s done well, in that 12 months, so our connection and communication has been there now for a good 10 to 12 months and he fully deserves to call up.
‘It’s fantastic to have another left footed centreback, he is 1.98m, so he’s a big boy, physically strong. He’s playing a very good level in championship with Ipswich.
‘I think the players that we picked fully deserved to be selected and obviously creating that depth,’ Arnold said.
Martin Boyle has been recalled for the first time since he suffered an ACL injury on the eve of last year’s World Cup.
Arnold is hoping to hit the ground running with his new-look squad against Mexico so opted against A-League players who are still in pre-season
Arnold said he was impressed by the winger’s form since his return from injury.
‘You’ve got to give the guy full credit, he had the operation in November last year and nine months later he’s back,’ Arnold said.
‘Most players take 12 months so he’s he’s done exceptionally well and hit the ground running straightaway with Hibs.
‘It’s great to have him back and if anyone does deserve anything it’s Boyley because he copped that injury just before the World Cup.’
Only two A-League players were picked in the final squad, but that had a fair bit to do with the timing as the Australian domestic season doesn’t kick off until October 13.
‘We are playing a top 12 nation in the world we need players that are fit and have hot matches in their legs,’ Arnold said.
‘We’ve been talking about this for a number of years about how it damages our September and October windows … I have to ring those players and tell them that they haven’t been selected and it’s not their own fault, it’s the domestic league and the structure that we have.’
