Socceroos captain Mat Ryan missing from first squad since World Cup as Tony Popovic overhauls

Socceroos captain Maty Ryan has been dropped from the first squad since his World Cup heartbreak as coach Tony Popovic looks to the future.

The goalkeeper was overlooked at the World Cup before being brought off the bench for the Round of 32 penalty shootout against Egypt, without success.

He has now missed out on selection for Australia’s two-match series against Brazil later this month in Townsville (September 25) and Brisbane (September 29) despite playing regular football in Spain’s top division.

Ryan has kept two clean sheets for Levante this season but conceded four goals against Barcelona over the weekend.

Patrick Beach, who was Australia’s clear first-choice gloveman for the World Cup, has been named alongside Paul Izzo with Jacob Chapman called up to camp for the first time as Popovic looks to the future ahead of the Asian Cup in January.

Chapman is one of five players to receive their maiden call-up, alongside Eli Adams, Kealey Adamson, Yaya Dukuly and Marcus Younis.

Kasey Bos and Dylan Leonard are the other uncapped players in the squad.

A total of 16 World Cup squad members have been called up for the Brazil matches, with Jordan Bos (knee), Cristian Volpato (hamstring) and Cameron Burgess (Achilles) among the high-profile players absent.

Beach, Paul Okon-Engstler, Lucas Herrington, Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati have committed to the Socceroos despite still settling in at their new clubs following big transfers on the back of the World Cup.

Riley McGree and Patrick Yazbek return after being ruled out of the global showpiece with injuries suffered late last season, while Alexander Robertson is also back in the mix.

“We are looking forward to coming together for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Popovic said in a statement.

“We have picked a squad with an eye on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and an eye on the future, and it’s a great opportunity for us to continue growing as a team.

“We are also very excited to be playing at home for the first time since March in what are two crucial matches for us, against Brazil, the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history.

“We will only have two camps and four matches before we select our AFC Asian Cup 2027 squad, so these matches are critical for us in preparation for our next major tournament.”