{
  "id": 8162808,
  "title": "Door not closed for Socceroos veteran despite another snub",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/door-not-closed-for-socceroos-veteran-despite-another-snub-8162808",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T03:20:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-18/mat-ryan-socceroos-tony-popovic-brazil-friendlies-squad/107168764"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mat Ryan's Socceroos career is far from over, according to coach Tony Popovic, despite the veteran captain missing his first squad since the World Cup. Ryan, a decorated captain with 105 caps, became the most eyebrow-raising omission from Popovic's squad, which includes seven uncapped players for matches against Brazil and Townsville. Ryan lost his starting position to young goalkeeper Patrick Beach at the World Cup and was substituted during the round-of-32 penalty shootout against Egypt. After that loss, Ryan was only informed he might replace Beach as extra time kicked off, though Popovic later insisted Ryan had been made aware of this possibility beforehand.\n\nPopovic, acknowledging Ryan's distinguished career and ongoing success with over 100 caps, stated that Ryan is still available for future games. Untried left-back Kasey Bos and younger brother of injured star Jordan Bos, Kasey Bos, have also been called up, along with fellow untested defender Dylan Leonard. Former A-League sensations Marcus Younis and Eli Adams, as well as Kealey Adamson, join the squad after impressive overseas stints. Some players, such as Jordan Bos, Cam Burgess, and Cristian Volpato, are unavailable due to injuries or disciplinary issues.\n\nPopovic emphasized the importance of giving these players an opportunity to grow and handle difficult situations in games, noting that the squad has sixteen players from the World Cup roster returning. The Socceroos could have played up to four games this window but have settled for two, allowing players to return to their clubs in preparation for the Asian Cup.",
  "summary": "Mat Ryan's Socceroos days are not over, coach Tony Popovic insists, despite the decorated captain being left out of his first squad since the World Cup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Door not closed for Socceroos veteran despite another snub",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/door-not-closed-for-socceroos-veteran-despite-another-snub",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:20:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}