The Australia national football team Socceroos suffered a 2-0 loss to USA on 2026-06-19. ## What happened? The team's coach, Tony Popovic, has been under fire for his selection choices. He replaced goalscorers Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe with A-League pair Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie.
Why it matters for Australia national football team Socceroos
The decision sparked a heated debate among fans, with some claiming that Popovic was playing favourites. Velupillay, who played under Popovic at Melbourne Victory, started a marquee World Cup game against co-host USA. Right-back Jason Geria, also a former Victory player, came on as a substitute in both games.
| Player | Club | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Nishan Velupillay | Melbourne Victory | Started against USA |
| Jason Geria | Albirex Niigata | Substitute in both games |
What comes next?
The Socceroos will face Paraguay on 2026-06-26 in their next fixture. Paul Okon-Engstler, the son of assistant coach Paul Okon, has been a shock midfield starter over veteran Jackson Irvine. Paul Izzo, previously Popovic's goalkeeper at Melbourne Victory, claimed a squad spot despite other worthy contenders.
The reality is that every coach plays favourites to a degree, and the margins get finer when it comes to selections. Socceroos great Harry Kewell said, 'A lot of people have their opinions and the one thing that you have to respect is the manager's decision.' The real factor in whether the coach is a genius or a goose when it comes to contentious selections is winning. The Socceroos will look to bounce back from their loss to USA and secure a win against Paraguay.
