James Overy, a promising young talent from Manchester United, has earned a call-up to the Australian national team for upcoming friendly matches against Colombia and Venezuela. The squad’s head coach, Tony Popovic, has also welcomed back key midfield players Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree, both recovering from injuries, which enhances the team’s strength for these important contests.
At just 17 years old, Overy is a full back who joined Manchester United’s academy last year and has not yet made his senior debut for the club. However, his inclusion in the squad comes off the back of his performance with Australia’s under-20 World Cup team, underscoring the national team’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Popovic’s squad is comprised of 26 players, featuring seven uncapped individuals as he seeks to broaden the team’s depth ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Among those poised for potential debuts is Sydney FC forward Al Hassan Toure, who will play alongside his brother, Mohamed Toure. Other fresh faces include Deni Juric, a striker from Poland, Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach, and center back Kai Trewin.
In addition to these new talents, the squad will see the return of Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler, with deep family ties to the Socceroos, and Scotland-born defender Jack Iredale, both eager to earn their first caps. The two friendly matches are scheduled for November 14 against Venezuela in Houston and November 18 against World Cup-qualified Colombia in New York.
After an eight-month layoff due to foot surgery, Irvine is making his return to the national setup, while McGree is also back on the pitch following his own injury recovery. Veteran winger Craig Goodwin has received a call-up for the first time since March following his move to play with A-League club Adelaide City.
This blend of youthful potential and seasoned players reflects Popovic’s vision for creating a well-rounded and dynamic squad as they navigate the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. The enthusiasm surrounding these matches provides a positive outlook for Australian football, with fans excited to see how these emerging talents will perform on the international stage.