# Mitchell Duke dumped from Socceroos squad for critical World Cup 2026 qualifiers

* Coach Tony Popovic recalls Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic
* Six players in line for Australia debut against Indonesia and China

### Australian Associated Press
Thu 13 Mar 2025 21.17 EDT  
Last modified on Fri 14 Mar 2025 01.14 EDT

, axing striker Mitchell Duke and handing shock recalls to full-back duo Jason Davidson and Fran Karacic.

Amid a , Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos, Popovic has had to delve deep into the Socceroos’ depth chart ahead of next Thursday’s clash with Indonesia in Sydney. As well as recalling Davidson and Karacic for the first time since 2022, there are potential debuts for Sydney FC centre-back Alex Grant and Melbourne City defender Kai Trewin.

The decision to axe Duke – one of Australia’s most reliable, industrious and popular team members under Graham Arnold – is questionable, given Popovic has opted to call up Portsmouth forward Kusini Yengi, who is just two games into his return from a three-month lay-off with a knee injury.

There is also no place for Noah Botic, who is arguably the most in-form Australian forward in the A-League Men, as he misses out to Adam Taggart and Brandon Borrello. Nestory Irankunda has also been snubbed after he was left out of the squad for November’s window.

 a reprieve after blasting the Melbourne Victory winger for his lack of consistency in January. Since Popovic put him on notice, Arzani has started just one of his seven games for Victory and has failed to score or register an assist.

“He needs to raise his level. We need goals, we need assists. That’s what Daniel needs to do,” Popovic said earlier this year. “Doing one good dribble, one good trick or setting up one goal should not be enough to play for the Socceroos. There needs to be more.”



Asked what had altered his thinking since those comments, Popovic said: “I wouldn’t say too much has changed. I think recently,  has had some good performances. I know his talent.

“I know that he is a type of player that we don’t have between the lines, a creative player that has that natural ability to do something special in those areas. He gets another chance and I’m sure he didn’t expect it, but I think it’s just an indication for every player that none of them are out of the picture, and if they perform well there’s always another chance.”

While Arzani gets another shot, there is no such luck for Duke, the dogged and determined striker who so frequently led the line under Popovic’s predecessor Arnold. Duke, 34, is a popular figure within the dressing room but has struggled for minutes with Machida Zelvia since the start of the Japanese season last month.

 before heading to meet China on 25 March in Hangzhou. The Socceroos sit second and occupy an automatic qualification berth in their group of six, but four teams including China and Indonesia are just one point behind them.

**Socceroos squad**

Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Paul Izzo, Tom Glover  
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Cameron Burgess, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Alex Grant, Fran Karacic, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Kai Trewin  
Midfielders: Anthony Caceres, Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Ryan Teague, Nectar Triantis  
Attackers: Daniel Arzani, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin, Adam Taggart, Marco Tilio, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi




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