Tony Popovic will field a young, experimental Australia side in Tuesday's friendly rematch with Brazil. The Socceroos boss is using the series to blood new talent ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, with as many as seven potential debutants in line to feature at Stadium Australia.
"Popovic is using this series to blood younger talent, and as many as seven potential debutants could feature at Stadium Australia," the manager said. The team's immediate goal is to build on their current World Cup qualifying position, where they sit second in their group with four points from two matches, having scored three goals and conceded two. Popovic's long-term vision is reflected in his contract, signed before the World Cup and running through to the Asian Cup, as he assesses his options from the wider squad.
The approach follows a 1-1 draw with the same opponents last week. Nestory Irankunda, who scored the 68th-minute equaliser in that match, is expected to lead the line again in a 3-4-2-1 formation designed to absorb pressure. The squad is without several key figures, including Mohamed Toure, Alexander Robertson, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Cristian Volpato, and Kai Trewin due to injury or absence, with full details available on the injuries page.
Brazil, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, are also in a period of transition, having made 16 changes to their squad after the 2026 World Cup. They dominated the first friendly with nearly 65% possession and 16 shots to Australia's seven. Ancelotti's side have won just two of their last eight away matches under his leadership, a statistic Australia will hope to exploit.
For Australia, the focus is firmly on the future. The team's recent form shows one win, three draws, and one loss from their last five outings, a record they will be keen to enhance. Following this fixture, the Socceroos' next competitive match is a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on October 10th. The match against Brazil kicks off at 11:00 AM BST on 29 September, serving as a final audition for many before the team's fixtures resume in earnest next month.
