A-League players will find it tough to be selected in Socceroos squad for September games against New Zealand

A lack of competitive football will make it difficult for A-League players to push their claims for selection in the next Socceroos squad.

A-League players will find it tough to be selected in the Socceroos squad for September’s friendlies against New Zealand due to a lack of competitive football.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic hasn’t been afraid to pick A-League players since his appointment nine months ago.

However, Popovic admitted Australia-based players would find it harder make the squad for the games against the All Whites on September 5 in Canberra and four days later in Auckland due to the A-League season not set to start until October.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic will find it hard to pick A-League players in Australia’s squad for September’s games against New Zealand. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I wouldn’t say no player can be picked from the A-League, because they’ll be assessed accordingly, but especially for the September window, I think it gives a lot of the boys that are overseas that have already started the beginning of July … more of an opportunity,” he said.

"The players that were in the national team, they haven’t done anything since June, and the players that finished the A-League season, it was April, May – it’s a long time not to play a competitive game.

“Pre-season in Europe, after 10 days, you’re playing pre-season games, you’re getting games under your belt, and then in August, you start your season.

“We should have boys that have played anything from two to eight competitive games before they get to the September window, so I’d say, if you look at that alone, it would put them a little bit ahead of any A-League players.”

Australia’s squad that sealed 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in June with wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia included nine players – Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Anthony Caceres, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin – who had just finished their 2024-25 A-League campaign.

Of the nine, only Behich, Borrello, Caceres, Taggart and Trewin are set to remain in the A-League for the 2025-26 season, with Arzani (Ferencváros, Hungary), Bos (Mainz 05, Germany), and Teague (KV Mechelen, Belgium) having signed with overseas clubs and Tilio having returned to Scottish champions Celtic following the end of his loan deal with Melbourne City.

Melbourne Cty star Aziz Behich may find it hard to be chosen in Australia’s squad for September’s games against New Zealand. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Socceroos’ matches in the October international window against the USA and Canada will also take place before the A-League season kicks off.

However, Popovic suggested more A-League players would be considered for those two games, particularly with the Australia Cup to provide a competitive outlet before the start of regular season fixtures.

The games against New Zealand could also allow Popovic to give uncapped attacking weapons Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen, Scotland), Noah Botic (Austria Vienna, Austria) and Adrian Segecic (Porstmouth) – who all starred in the A-League last season before moving abroad – their Socceroos debuts.

“My advice to them would be to focus on your football and focus on playing well. The national team happens on its own,” he said.

“I know that these players will improve by being overseas, and that’s great for the national team.”