Teen sensation Nestory Irankunda has been left out of the latest Socceroos squad to allow him to settle and develop at Bayern Munich, says coach Tony Popovic.
Irankunda's omission for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia next Thursday at AAMI Park and Bahrain four days later in Riffa was one of the bigger surprises of Popovic's squad announcement on Friday.
The 18-year-old had been in the past three Socceroos squads.
"Just a selection decision," Popovic said.
"He's a young man with a lot of potential, signed at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"We just feel it's an opportunity for him to settle in at Bayern, get the development that he needs there and the growth, and just settle into a new culture, new country, new language.
"And hopefully this will help him grow and settle and we still hope that we really see his potential moving forward for him in the national team in the years to come."
Popovic, who didn't speak to the 18-year-old directly, said there were no off-field reasons for Irankunda's omission, one of eight changes to the squad.
He stressed most development would happen at his club, not in the national team environment.
"We're here to support in any way we can, whether that's on the field or off the field," Popovic said.
"I'm sure he has a lot of support with family. We as an organisation, have and will continue to support him.
"But he's 18, and I've got children as well that are around that age, so I know what they go through, and we're here to support in any way we can in terms of helping him understand what it takes to be at the highest level.
"But I think he's in very good hands at Bayern."
Sydney FC right-back Rhyan Grant has been handed an unexpected international career lifeline
Grant, 33, hasn't played for the Socceroos since Australia's qualifier against Japan in 2022 and last year told AAP of his international career: "I think that ship has sailed".
But Popovic views Grant as someone who can deliver much-needed experience at right-back.
Sky Blues midfielder Anthony Caceres could debut at age 32 while 20-year-old defender Hayden Matthews has been called up for the first time.
Former Central Coast midfielder Max Balard's stellar form with Dutch Eredivisie club NAC Breda has been rewarded with his first call-up.
Serbia-based defender Milos Degenek (FK Crvena Zvezda) could play his first Socceroos game since October 2023 following a rough injury run.
Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle and Kusini Yengi also return along with in-form Western Sydney Wanderers striker Brandon Borrello.
Second-placed Australia are on five points, five points behind Group C leaders Japan, and ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on goal difference, with the top two teams qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Craig Goodwin, who is suspended against the Saudis at AAMI Park, looms as a key player against Bahrain.
Luke Brattan, Sammy Silvera, Thomas Deng, Daniel Arzani and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos also miss out, while Gianni Stensness is injured.
Massimo Luongo, who is yet to play minutes after an ankle injury, isn't back, nor is the injured Connor Metcalfe.
Alex Robertson didn't make himself available for selection.
AUSTRALIA'S SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo.
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Rhyan Grant, Hayden Matthews, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar
Midfielders: Max Balard, Anthony Caceres, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill, Patrick Yazbek
Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi.
