Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold has named a youthful 23-man squad for Australia’s international friendly match against FIFA World Cup™ Champions, Argentina to be played at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing, China, on Thursday 15 June.
As planned, Arnold is using June’s FIFA men’s international window to present an important opportunity for some emerging national team players to demonstrate what they can produce against the world ranked #1, as the Socceroos continue their preparation for January’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
Receiving their first senior team call ups are 19-year-old, Parma Calcio 1913 defender Alessandro Circati and Melbourne City FC goalkeeper Thomas Glover, while Denis Genreau (Toulouse FC) and Gianni Stensness (Viking FK) have both been recalled following their outstanding club form.
Due to injury, several players are unavailable for this window including Aziz Behich, Jason Cummings, Miloš Degenek, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy, and Bailey Wright, where eleven of the 23-players selected to face Argentina represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics™.
Upon unveiling the squad, Head Coach Graham Arnold said: “There is no better test than playing the current World Champions in Argentina straight after a World Cup, which reflects how highly regarded Australian football teams are amongst the leading nations.
“Irrespective of who we played during June; I have made no secret that this window would provide a glimpse into the future, where we were always going to reward players who have had strong seasons at club level to show what they can do on the international stage.
“With the benefit of having five friendlies before our 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starts this November, we need to use every one of these matches to prepare as best we can, as well as having one eye on January’s Asian Cup,” Arnold explained.
In exciting times for Australian men’s football, all four senior and youth national teams are active during the June window, where the Olyroos – featuring a hugely talented group of players – are currently competing in the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament in France, as they too prepare for AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ qualifiers in September, where the Asian Cup doubles as qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics™.
This Olyroos’ squad – all born between 2001 – 2004 – includes Socceroos’ Garang Kuol and Marco Tilio, along with A-League Men 2022/23 grand finalists Jacob Farrell, Nectarios Triantis and Callum Talbot plus Brighton Hove & Albion FC forward, Cameron Peupion.
“It’s really pleasing to see four of our men’s national teams in action this month,” Arnold expressed.
“As part of my new role, I look forward to heading across to Thailand to support the Joeys for their World Cup qualifiers, with my assistant René Meulensteen currently in France with the Olyroos before joining up with the Socceroos in China.
“It is so critical for the future of the Socceroos that our national teams and development pathways are as strong and as connected as possible. The Socceroos’ strength will always be based on this.
“Aussie DNA was on full display at the World Cup in Qatar, and I’m excited to see what this squad of players can do against the world champions, Argentina in Beijing later this month,” Arnold concluded.
The Socceroos’ coaching and support staff will depart Australia for Beijing tomorrow and Thursday, with players arriving in China from Friday ahead of the first training session on Saturday.
Fans in Australia will be able to watch the Socceroos take on Argentina live and free on Network 10 and live on Paramount+.
Match Day:
Date: Thursday, 15 June 2023
Venue: The Workers’ Stadium, Beijing, China
Time: 8.00pm local / 10.00pm AEST
Broadcast: Live and free on Network 10 and live on Paramount+
