Graham Arnold is set to break bread with Nestory Irankunda after handing the prodigious teenager his first Socceroos call-up for June’s World Cup qualifiers.
Irankunda was named in a 25-man Australia squad on Wednesday alongside a recalled Daniel Arzani and uncapped Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Arnold’s squad will undergo a training camp in Thailand this week, before facing Bangladesh in Dhaka on June 6 and Palestine in Perth on June 11.
Australia’s spot in the final round of qualification is assured, but two wins can help support the Socceroos’ hopes of a favourable draw in the next stage.
Newcastle Jets striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has also been handed his first call-up, while dual-national Alessandro Circati is set to make a homecoming in Perth.
Bayern Munich-bound Irankunda set tongues wagging last week when he hinted that he could switch allegiance to Burundi or Tanzania, given how often he has been overlooked for international selection. The 18-year-old, who was last in Socceroos camp in March 2023 as a train-on player, was snubbed for the Olyroos’ disastrous qualification campaign due to concerns over his maturity.
Now, however, Irankunda is in line to win his first senior cap, alongside one-time wonderkid Arzani. Arzani, 25, has not won a cap in almost six years, but has thrived under the coaching of Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory in the A-League Men this season.
Victory goalkeeper Izzo is in contention to win his first cap, although it is expected he will act as back-up to Aston Villa custodian Joe Gauci, who will step into the frontline role as captain Mathew Ryan is given a rest by Arnold after a gruelling two years for both club and country.
“We’ve got several players who’ve had significant workloads in recent times, and it’s important we give them a proper break,” Arnold said. “I want to ensure they’re physically and mentally prepared for another big 12 months of qualification.
“This has also allowed us to provide opportunities to players who have been performing well at their clubs as we continue to build depth right across the pitch.”
SOCCEROOS SQUAD TO FACE BANGLADESH AND PALESTINE
Goalkeepers: Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo, Lawrence Thomas
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Gethin Jones, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain
Midfielders: Daniel Arzani, Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Josh Nisbet
Forwards: Martin Boyle, Mitchell Duke, Nestory Irankunda, Mathew Leckie, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi
