Youth & Pathways

CommBank Joeys squad named for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™

4 min read 27 October 2026

Head Coach Carl Veart has named a 21-player CommBank Joeys squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™, featuring 17 players from A-League Men clubs and four from leading European clubs, as Australia returns to the tournament for the first time in seven years.

Veart has selected a squad with a blend of emerging talent and players gaining valuable senior football experience, as Australia prepares to compete on the world stage for the first time since the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™, where the CommBank Joeys progressed to the Round of 16.

Australia secured its place at the tournament following a strong campaign at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, advancing to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, highlighted by a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Vietnam.

The squad retains a strong core of players from that campaign, complemented by those who have continued to develop through their respective club environments and international opportunities.

Of the 21 players selected, 17 represent seven A-League Men clubs, with five players having already made their A-League Men debuts, underlining the competition's growing role in developing the nation's next generation.

The remaining four are developing in top European academies, Premier League clubs Manchester United, AFC Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion, and Austria’s FC Red Bull Salzburg. All four clubs are competing in Europe this season.

Sydney FC's Akol Akon, Melbourne City's Besian Kutleshi and Akeem Gerald, and Brisbane Roar's Emmett Shaw are among those who have made their senior debuts in Australia, while others have gained valuable experience across the domestic football landscape.

The selection also highlights the breadth of Australia's grassroots football pathways, with 18 players having progressed through junior clubs across four Member Federations: Football NSW, Football Victoria, Football Queensland and Football South Australia.

Australia has been drawn into Group C alongside Argentina, Denmark and Mozambique, with all three group-stage fixtures to be played at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Quotes attributable to CommBank Joeys Head Coach Carl Veart: 

“Being selected to represent your country at a FIFA World Cup is an enormous honour, particularly at this stage of a player's career, and it's something this group should be incredibly proud of.

“We've selected a squad that has worked hard for this opportunity and shown strong character throughout the program. There is a good balance within the group and we're excited to see what they can achieve together.

“For many of these players, this will be the biggest stage they've experienced and we're looking forward to seeing how they respond to the challenge of competing against quality international opposition.

“We know we'll face strong opponents in the group stage, but that's exactly the type of challenge we want to embrace. We're going to Qatar with the ambition to play positive football and progress as far as we can.

“We have belief in this group and want the players to enjoy the occasion, play with confidence and make the most of an opportunity that they've earned through their hard work and performances.

“I'd also like to acknowledge the families, coaches and clubs who have played an important role in helping these young players reach this point in their careers.”

For more information about the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™, please click here.

COMMBANK JOEYS SQUAD | FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP QATAR 2026™ | 19 NOVEMBER – 13 DECEMBER

Name	Position	Current Club	Junior Club / Member Federation
Akol AKON	Attacker	Sydney FC	St Marys Convent SC / Football NSW
Lachlan ALLEN	Goalkeeper	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Ramsgate RSL / Football NSW
Luke BECVINOVSKI	Attacker	Central Coast Mariners FC	Pascoe Vale FC / Football Victoria
Harrison BOND	Defender	FC Red Bull Salzburg	All Saints Hunter Hills FC / Football NSW
Max COURT	Attacker	Brisbane Roar FC	APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW
Akeem GERALD	Attacker	Melbourne City FC	FC Bulleen Lions / Football Victoria
Georgio HASSARATI	Attacker	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Putney Rangers FC / Football NSW
Emile KATRIB	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Panania Diggers SC / Football NSW
Besian KUTLESHI	Midfielder	Melbourne City FC	North Sunshine Eagles SC / Football Victoria
Max LYALL-RAJENDRA	Defender	AFC Bournemouth	London Colney Colts FC / England
Callum McCASKEY	Defender	Central Coast Mariners FC	Central Coast Mariners FC / Football NSW
Archie MITCHELL	Defender	Brisbane Roar FC	Narangba Eagles FC / Football Queensland
Sajjad NASIRI	Midfielder	Adelaide United FC	Ingle Farm SC / Football SA
Hugo NG	Goalkeeper	Adelaide United FC	MetroStars / Football SA
Dionn NIGRO	Midfielder	Sydney FC	Enfield Rovers FC / Football NSW
Oliver O'CARROLL	Midfielder	Central Coast Mariners FC	Middle Park SC / Football Victoria
Henrique OLIVEIRA	Attacker	Macarthur Bulls FC	Port Adelaide Pirates / Football SA
Marcus SAVIC	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Moorebank Sports SC / Football NSW
Jariyah SHAH	Midfielder	Manchester United FC	Doncaster Rovers FC / England
Emmett SHAW	Midfielder	Brisbane Roar FC	Centenary Stormers FC / Football Queensland
Charlie WILSON-PAPPS	Goalkeeper	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	Sheen Lions FC / England

MATCH DETAILS

FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP QATAR 2026™ GROUP C

Argentina U17 v CommBank Joeys
Thursday, 19 November 2026
Aspire Zone – Pitch 8, Al Rayyan
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 3.00am AEDT (Friday, 20 November)

Denmark U17 v CommBank Joeys
Sunday, 22 November 2026
Aspire Zone – Pitch 4, Al Rayyan
Kick-off: 3.30pm local / 11.30pm AEDT

CommBank Joeys v Mozambique U17
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Aspire Zone – Pitch 8, Al Rayyan
Kick-off: 6.30pm local / 2.30am AEDT (Thursday, 26 November)