The Aussie Game Podcast

Tony Popovic has finally named his 26-player Socceroos squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil.The squad features 16 players retained from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three recalls and seven potential debutants. There are plenty of familiar faces alongside exciting young talent, with Popovic continuing to give opportunities to players pushing for senior selection.With Mat Ryan absent, there are questions around the goalkeeping situation, while several players in strong club form will be hoping to make their mark against one of world football's biggest nations.Europa LeagueAlessandro Circati made his European debut for Benfica at the San Siro against AC Milan, helping his side to a 2-0 win and clean sheet in a huge performance. Australian referee Jared Gillett also made his European competition debut in the match.Daniel Arzani scored a spectacular goal on his return to Celtic Park as Ferencváros defeated Celtic 3-1, while Yaya Dukuly started against Bayer Leverkusen.EnglandLucas Herrington made his Premier League starting debut, becoming the second-youngest Australian to start a Premier League match after Harry Kewell. He recorded 92% passing accuracy despite his side's 2-1 defeat.Alex Robertson continued his strong form for Cardiff City, creating the most chances and completing the most passes in a 3-1 win over Charlton.Riley McGree featured in back-to-back 2-2 draws for Middlesbrough, while Mohamed Toure came off the bench against Manchester City in the League Cup.Kealey Adamson impressed after coming off the bench early for QPR following a red card, helping his side fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.In the Women's Super League, Mary Fowler helped Manchester City to a 4-2 win over Liverpool, while Steph Catley started for Arsenal against Manchester United as the Gunners rescued a late 1-1 draw. Ellie Carpenter played the full match in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Birmingham.ScotlandRyan Strain continued his excellent form for Falkirk, registering an assist in a 2-1 win over Hearts before another impressive performance against St Johnstone, where he created the most chances, completed the most passes and made the most tackles.Daniel Bennie assisted in Dundee United's 3-0 win over St Mirren, while Josh Rawlins played the full match.Jack Iredale and Martin Boyle featured for Hibernian, with Boyle scoring from the penalty spot.EuropeNestory Irankunda made his first start for Sporting CP, playing 57 minutes in a 2-2 draw.Jacob Italiano marked his return to the Socceroos squad with a goal for Grazer AK in a 2-2 draw with Austria Vienna.Marcus Younis continued his scoring form for Brøndby, finding the net in their cup victory.Dylan Leonard featured for Alemannia Aachen, while Hayley Raso played the second half in Eintracht Frankfurt's 3-2 win.In Sweden, Daniela Galic played 90 minutes for Vittsjo GIK, while Charli Grant started her fourth straight game for Malmö, with Amy Sayer and Courtney Nevin also featuring.Asia Champions LeagueThe Asian Champions League produced a mixed week for Australian players and coaches.Ange Postecoglou's side suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Al Ain, while Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port came out on top in a remarkable 6-4 thriller against Ratchaburi.The Newcastle Jets endured a difficult night, losing 7-1 to Kashima Antlers. Pat Wood scored for the Jets from a Joe Lolley assist.In the AFC Champions League Two, Adelaide United made an impressive start with a 3-0 win over Tai Po, with goals from Ethan Alagich, Juan Muñiz and Craig Goodwin.Mitch Duke and Tete Yengi both scored as Machida Zelvia defeated Svay Rieng 2-0.USAAiden O'Neill played 90 minutes in the New York derby as New York City FC lost 1-0 to the Red Bulls.Kye Rowles played the full match for DC United, while Archie Goodwin came off the bench for Charlotte.Patrick Yazbek played 83 minutes in Nashville's 3-0 win over Chicago as they continued their strong season.In the NWSL, Mackenzie Arnold made five saves in Portland's 4-1 win over Orlando, while Sam Kerr played 90 minutes and registered an assist for Gotham.Australia Cup Final SetThe Australia Cup final is locked in.South Melbourne produced another comeback to defeat Lions FC 3-1, with Bul Juach scoring another hat-trick in the competition.They will now face Melbourne Victory in the final at AAMI Park on 10 October.Joeys Announce Two International SquadsFootball Australia has named two CommBank Joeys squads for September and October international tournaments.The 2009-born Joeys will travel to Spain for the U17 Copa España 2026, where they will face Panama and Morocco as preparations continue for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.The 2010-born squad will travel to China for the U16 CFA Invitational 2026, taking on Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic and hosts China PR.Around the A-LeaguesApostolos Stamatelopoulos has signed with Macarthur, adding another attacking option to the Bulls.We also discuss the latest developments surrounding the Australian Championship and the decision-making around the competition just one month out from its second edition.Team of the WeekGK: Mackenzie ArnoldDEF: Ryan Strain, Dylan Leonard, Jacob ItalianoMID: Marcus Younis, Ethan Alagich, Alex Robertson, Daniel ArzaniFWD: Annalise Rasmussen, Mitch Duke, Bul JuachFrom the Socceroos' Brazil squad to Australians starring across Europe and Asia, the Australia Cup final, the Joeys and plenty more — there's plenty to unpack this week.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

With just 12 days until the Socceroos face Brazil in Townsville, we look at the players making their case for Tony Popovic’s squad and ask who has done enough to earn a place against the Selecao.The Socceroos’ November friendlies against Qatar and Jordan are also confirmed, while we react to the Young Socceroos’ Asian Cup qualification disappointment and look ahead to the Olyroos’ Olympic preparations, including their October clash with Korea Republic in Gosford.Gianni Stensness makes Champions League debutA huge milestone for Gianni Stensness, who becomes the first Australian to feature in the UEFA Champions League since Milos Degenek in 2023. Stensness played the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart but produced an impressive individual performance with eight clearances, four recoveries and a 75% duel success rate.Nestory Irankunda was an unused substitute as Sporting made an impressive start with a 3-1 win over Galatasaray.Aussies AbroadThere was plenty to discuss across the major European leagues:Lucas Herrington continues to earn opportunities in the Premier League for Hull City, including a full 90 minutes against Sunderland.Alex Robertson continues to impress for Cardiff City as they search for their first win of the Championship season.Mohamed Toure scored inside the first minute for Birmingham in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Middlesbrough.Kealey Adamson impressed for QPR, completing 96% of his passes in a 0-0 draw with Charlton.Connor Metcalfe starred for St Pauli in a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg, earning Man of the Match honours.Mat Ryan saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in Spain, making 10 saves in a 0-0 draw.Marco Tilio came off the bench to assist as Rapid Vienna won 3-0 and continued their excellent start to the Austrian season.Charli Grant provided an assist for Malmö in Sweden, while Remy Siemsen helped Rosengård climb out of the relegation zone.Kaitlyn Torpey backed up another strong performance for Newcastle and continues to strengthen her case for the Matildas.Sam Kerr assisted as Gotham bounced back with a 2-1 NWSL win.Alana Murphy scored for Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the WSL 2 season.Harry Souttar played the full match as Leicester won a seven-goal thriller against Stockport.We also run through the latest performances from Australians in England, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland, Denmark, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, MLS and the NWSL.Transfers & Australian FootballThere’s movement in the transfer market, with James Overy completing his move to Sydney FC, Mohamed Toure joining Macarthur FC, and reports that Colorado have signed Sydney FC youngster Akol Akon.In Australia, Melbourne Victory defeated Sydney FC 2-0 to book their place in the Australia Cup final.The Week’s Talking PointsWe discuss whether Mohamed Toure is pushing himself into the Socceroos conversation, how important Kaitlyn Torpeycould be for the Matildas, and what Gianni Stensness’ Champions League debut means for his international prospects.There’s also discussion around Cristian Volpato’s injury and reported positive second sample, the latest developments involving Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, and the performances of Australia’s next generation around the world.Team of the WeekOur Team of the Week features:Mat Ryan; Kaitlyn Torpey, Gianni Stensness, Harry Souttar, Charli Grant; Alex Robertson, Alana Murphy; Marco Tilio, Connor Metcalfe, Keegan Jelacic; Mohamed Toure.Bench: Sam Kerr.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Socceroos Squad Picks With the upcoming friendlies on the horizon, we each picked the Socceroos squad we’d like to see — not necessarily the squad we expect to be called up.We run through our selections, surprise inclusions, omissions, and the players we think deserve a chance to impress.Let us know who you'd like to see!If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a review and follow us for weekly coverage of the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Australians playing around the world.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Magical Mo Toure is at it again! The 22-year-old continues his incredible scoring run for Norwich in the Championship, but could two out-of-favour Australian wingers finding form in Europe force their way into the next Socceroos squad?We also look at a potentially long season ahead for Harry Souttar in League One, Riley McGree’s increasing minutes, and whether Scottish goalkeeper Jacob Chapman has done enough to enter the Socceroos conversation.For the Matildas, Daniela Galic is flying in Sweden, while Ellie Carpenter and Alanna Kennedy continue their European campaigns.EnglandPremier LeagueLucas Herrington helped Hull City secure another clean sheet in a 0-0 draw, coming on in the 71st minute.Hull sit second with seven points after an impressive start.Hull face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup next.ChampionshipMohamed Toure scored again as Norwich beat Sheffield United 3-1, taking him to three league goals and equal fourth in the Championship scoring charts.Toure played 71 minutes in a midweek 1-0 loss to Stoke.Riley McGree continues to build minutes, playing 55 minutes in a 1-0 win over Millwall after starting and playing 61 minutes against Burnley.A difficult week for Alex Robertson and Cardiff City, with losses to QPR and Portsmouth.Callum Elder played the full match in Lincoln's 0-0 draw with Blackburn but was an unused substitute against Southampton.Kealey Adamson made an 18-minute substitute appearance for QPR.League OneHarry Souttar stayed at Leicester City and played the full match in a 2-0 win over Plymouth, before featuring in the 4-0 defeat to Oxford.Caleb Watts came off the bench against Leicester before scoring as Plymouth beat Doncaster 3-2.Luka Smyth featured in consecutive 1-1 draws for Notts County against Doncaster and Huddersfield.Sammy Silvera made substitute appearances in defeats/draws against Wigan and Wycombe.Raphael Borges Rodrigues made his Burton debut immediately after joining on loan.Clayton Taylor played 15 minutes in Barnsley's 5-1 loss to Stevenage.League TwoPeter Cklamovski's Salford City recorded consecutive wins, including a 1-0 victory over Port Vale.Kaelan Majekodunmi played a full match as Swindon beat Port Vale 3-1, then played the second half in another 3-1 win over Colchester.Swindon sit second in League Two.Women's Super LeagueAlanna Kennedy started and played the full game as London City Lionesses won 2-1.Ellie Carpenter started for Chelsea and provided the assist for the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.Australians in EuropeGermanyPaul Okon Jr started in midfield for Köln against Stuttgart before being substituted at half-time in a 4-1 defeat.Hayley Raso was sent off for Eintracht Frankfurt in a dramatic Champions League qualifier. Frankfurt eventually lost 6-2 after extra time.Jamilla Rankin featured in the second half of extra time.Connor Metcalfe played the second half as St Pauli drew 2-2, with Sam Klein also making a late appearance.PortugalNestroy Irankunda came off the bench as Sporting won 2-0.Circati played from the 62nd minute as Benfica won 3-0 away.NetherlandsMax Ballard started for NAC Breda in a 4-2 defeat after his side went down to 10 men.AustriaJed Drew played 12 minutes as Hartberg won 3-2.Marco Tilio scored in Rapid Wien's 3-1 win and remains part of an undefeated league-leading side.Rapid were then beaten 5-1 by Salzburg, with Tilio coming off the bench.Tilio started again and played 64 minutes in a 5-2 Austrian Cup win over Klagenfurt.DenmarkPaul Izzo returned in goal as Randers won 2-1.Oliver Jones also gained valuable minutes after an injury-disrupted period since joining Randers.Marcus Younis played 65 minutes in Brondby's 3-1 defeat.HungaryDaniel Arzani was outstanding for Ferencvaros, assisting the opener in a 2-1 win over Puskas Academy.Arzani then assisted another opener in a 3-0 win over Gyor, playing 70 minutes.NorwayGianni Stensness played another full match for Viking as they continue to chase Bodo/Glimt at the top of the table.Viking drew 1-1 and now sit three points behind the leaders.ScotlandA huge week for Australian players in Scotland.Cam Devlin started for Rangers in a 2-1 win over Falkirk.Ryan Strain provided assists in consecutive matches, continuing his excellent attacking form for Falkirk.Martin Boyle scored for Hibernian in a 2-1 win over Dundee before Hibs lost 3-1 to Hearts.Jake Iredale came on as an early injury replacement against Hearts before being sent off.Jacob Chapman was one of the week's biggest talking points, keeping a clean sheet in St Mirren's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.Chapman then made five saves against Celtic in a 2-1 defeat. Could the St Mirren goalkeeper be a surprise Socceroos call-up?Jake Girdwood-Reich featured for Motherwell against Dundee United and Rangers.Josh Rawlins, Daniel Bennie and Zac Sapsford all started for Dundee United, with Lachie Rose featuring from the bench.SloveniaYa Ya Dukuly came off the bench in both a 4-1 defeat and a 2-0 bounce-back win for Celje.ItalyCristian Volpato played 55 minutes as Sassuolo progressed in the Coppa Italia on penalties against Frosinone.SwedenDaniela Galic was the star, scoring twice in Vittsjo GIK's massive 5-0 victory.Women's Champions LeagueChelsea completed a 6-2 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, with Ellie Carpenter playing 60 minutes in the second leg.Hayley Raso's red card proved costly for Eintracht Frankfurt as PSG ran over the top in extra time to win 5-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.Asia & BeyondSaudi ArabiaAnge Postecoglou suffered a 2-1 defeat against Al Ittihad.ChinaKevin Muscat guided Shanghai Port into the China Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Shandong.Shanghai then drew 0-0 with Beijing Guoan.John Aloisi's Chengdu Rongcheng could wrap up the title.JapanJackson Irvine played the full match as Cerezo Osaka beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-0.Tete Yengi played 60 minutes as Machida beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1.Steve Corica's Yokohama FC drew 1-1 with Kyoto.Eli Adams played the full match in a 2-2 draw with V-Varen Nagasaki.MLSAiden O'Neill returned for New York City FC, playing 20 minutes off the bench in a 0-0 draw with Nashville.Patrick Yazbek started for Nashville and played 55 minutes.Archie Goodwin played seven minutes in Charlotte's 0-0 draw with Houston.TransfersLeticia McKenna joins Nottingham Forest for a record transfer fee.Hayden Matthews joins Bradford City on a season-long loan.Raphael Borges Rodrigues joins Burton Albion on loan for the season.Dylan Leonard joins Alemannia Aachen on loan in Germany.Kusini Yengi joins Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan until the end of the year, with an option to make the move permanent.Ryan Fraser joins Macarthur FC.Young Socceroos & PathwaysThe Australia U-20s opened their Asian Cup qualification campaign with a controlled 2-0 win over Laos. Marcus Neill converted a penalty before Melbourne City's Lewis Marinucci found the far corner directly from a corner.The Young Socceroos then drew 2-2 with Malaysia in a disrupted encounter, leaving qualification going down to the wire.Australian ChampionshipThe groups for the inaugural Australian Championship have been announced.New U-15 National ProgramsFootball Australia has announced Australia's youngest-ever national programs, introducing boys' and girls' U-15 National Select sides.The boys' team will compete at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan in October.The girls' team will debut at the women's edition next year.From 2028, both U-15 World Cups are scheduled to be held annually.Michael Cooper has been appointed as Football Australia's Pathways Talent Identification Lead.The new programs are designed to give Australia's best young players their first experience of international tournament football.The U-15 tournament in Azerbaijan runs from October 22–31 and will use a modified, fast-paced format rather than traditional 11-a-side football.Team of the WeekGK: Jacob ChapmanDEF: Ellie Carpenter, Lucas Herrington, Alanna Kennedy, Kaelan MajekodunmiMID: Aiden O'Neill, Patrick YazbekFWD: Caleb Watts, Daniela Galic, Martin Boyle, Mohamed ToureIf you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a review and follow us for weekly coverage of the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Australians playing around the world.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Two young Australian strikers stole the show this week as Mohamed Toure and Luka Smyth both scored braces for Norwich City and Notts County.We look at Toure’s incredible scoring form and whether he could still leave Norwich before the transfer window closes, while Smyth continues his rise with another match-winning performance.Around the world, we cover the latest from Socceroos and Matildas players overseas, including:Kyra Cooney-Cross returns for Arsenal and scores a stunning goal.Ellie Carpenter stars for Chelsea in Champions League qualifying.Cristian Volpato finds the net for Sassuolo.Paul Okon-Engstler makes his Bundesliga debut.Mat Ryan delivers another Man of the Match performance for Levante.Nestory Irankunda, Tete Yengi, Jackson Irvine, Gianni Stensness and more feature across Europe and Asia.Huge Champions League, Europa League and Conference League qualification drama, including heartbreak for Marcus Tilio.John Aloisi's Chengdu Rongcheng move closer to the Chinese Super League title.Ange Postecoglou leads Al Nassr to a remarkable comeback win in Saudi Arabia.Back home, we discuss the Australia Cup semi-finalists, Adam Taggart's move to Vietnam, Tyrese Francois joining Brisbane Roar, Andy Harper's comments on the A-League and the newly confirmed Australian Championship.We also have the latest on the Matildas, Junior Matildas, Graham Arnold, Australia's upcoming clash with Colombia, and finish with our Team of the Week.If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a review and follow us for weekly coverage of the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Australians playing around the world.🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Follow us:IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game