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FIFA news: Socceroos squad shocks amid Trump motivation
SEN • May 5th, 2026 3:18 pm
World Cup 2026 Weekly news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as we countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Aussies "welcome Trump"
Australia coach Tony Popovic is keen for President Donald Trump to attend his side’s Group clash with the USA at next month’s World Cup.
With just over five weeks until the 2026 edition of the tournament gets underway in America, Mexico and Canada, Popovic is making final arrangements before naming an extended squad next week which will be trimmed to the travelling 26-man team announced on June 1.
Amid a global focus on the tournament and the political storylines accompanying it with speculation Iran could yet withdraw, fury over the expected presence of ICE and visa issues for numerous fan groups, Popovic believes Trump’s presence at their game would motivate his players.
"I don't know if (Trump) wants to come and watch the US play, I'm sure I'd expect him to come and watch them at the World Cup," he said.
"If he chooses to watch Australia, that's wonderful for us. It would make it even more special in trying to win that game."
Last week Australian World Cup hopeful Jackson Irvine went public with his thoughts on Trump saying FIFA awarding him a Peace prize made “a mockery” of the human rights policy.
He also voiced his concerns for LGBTQIA right in the USA.
Undeterred by the player’s stance, Popovic added: "Jackson's a big boy. He has his opinions. My focus is on the team and that's not really something that I've wasted any energy on."
Aus heading to USA
Six A-League players have been named in the Socceroos' pre-training camp to make a final bid to a World Cup call up.
Anthony Caceres, Mitch Duke, Brandon Borrello, Nick D’Agostino, Nishan Velupillay and Socceroos stalwart Mathew Leckie will be joined by UK-based Harry Souttar and Hayden Matthews in Florida.
While so many focus on the up and coming talent in Australia, experience will be key to success at the World Cup, a notion not lost on Popovic.
“We’re all excited about the youngsters. I think I’m the first to say that I’m very excited about the young group coming through and I’m sure in the next four and eight years we should have a good core group of young players to move the Socceroos forward,” Popovic said.
“So there’s an eye on now and there’s an eye on the future but if you watch the game that was just played, Matthew Leckie was the best player on the park. A 35 year-old with no football under his belt. That a young player can’t do as yet.”
Those selected from the right will meet with the rest of the Australia squad in California at the end of this month for a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico.
Ref dumped from World Cup
FIFA has said it "is aware of the serious allegations" against a referee earmarked to adjudicate at the World Cup after they were arrested over an alleged sexual assault.
After reports were printed in the British media, FIFA has been forced to confirm the individual will no longer be in contention for next month's tournament.
“In the meantime, the match official will not be considered for any FIFA competition matches,” the football governing body said in a statement.
Earlier this month, FIFA published a list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials that had been selected for the 104-match tournament.
“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” UEFA said.
