Football Australia confident of receiving FIFA approval for Bruno Fornaroli to play for the Socceroos against Japan

Uruguay-born Bruno Fornaroli is set to represent the Socceroos for the first time, but one star will miss the World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Bruno Fornaroli (left) battles with Kye Rowles. Both players are in the Socceroos latest squad. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli had no hesitation in accepting a “crazy” opportunity to play for the Socceroos, saying Australia was now “home”.

Football Australia is awaiting approval from FIFA to allow the Perth Glory marksman – who is now an Australian citizen – to make his potential Socceroos debut in next Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier against Japan in Sydney.

The 34-year-old ex-Melbourne City ace was on Thursday named in a 27-man Socceroos squad for the home game against Japan as well as the away clash with Saudi Arabia on March 30.

As revealed by News Corp Australia, the squad does not include star playmaker Aaron Mooy, who has tested positive to Covid-19.

Fornaroli represented Uruguay at under-17 level but has not played for his country of birth at senior level, which allows him to don the colours of another nation after five years of residency.

“I’m so happy but at the same time it’s crazy because at my age, 34, all my career I’ve tried to do my best,” Fornaroli told the Socceroos website.

“(For) this massive opportunity to come now is crazy, but I’ll try to enjoy the moment and be ready to give my best.

“I’m living a dream because all my career I’ve waited for a moment like this.”

Fornaroli, whose son was born in Australia, left no doubt about where his allegiances now lied.

“Australia is home,” he said.

"When I just came here with my wife and little daughter (in 2015), straight away people helped us to feel comfortable here.

“We are very grateful to this country, We love it. Here was born my son, so he’s a real Aussie ... I have many reasons to fight for this country.”

Fornaroli, Gianni Stensness, Nick D’Agostino, Kye Rowles and Scotland-based Nathaniel Atkinson are the five uncapped players in Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s squad.

Aaron Mooy has Covid-19. Picture: Adil Al Naimi/Getty Images

“Over the last number of years Bruno has been a star of the A-League and has a great reputation of having a fighting and winning mentality,” Arnold said.

“He’s a great character and it’s great to have him in the extended squad.

“The way he holds the ball up, shields the ball, wins free kicks and scores goals ... I see it as a massive positive that we’re able to bring him in.”

The Socceroos are in third spot in Group B of the AFC’s third round of World Cup qualifiers.

The Australians are three points adrift of second-placed Japan, with first-placed Saudi Arabia a further point ahead.

A top-two Group B finish will earn the Socceroos automatic qualification to this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

With the Australians having already secured a top-three spot, they have at the very least earned a berth in playoffs to determine the remaining World Cup qualifiers once the group stage is completed.

“This window represents a great opportunity for our players and staff to do something truly special for Australian football, and we will be focusing all our energies on producing two great performances against Japan and Saudi Arabia and lifting the Socceroos to the World Cup,” Arnold said.

“But I truly view March 2022 as a win-win window for this group. With a playoff spot for June already locked in, if required, the players will be able to come to camp with clear minds as to what’s ahead of them, and enjoy the time that they have working hard together and playing in front of their family, friends, and fans.

“I am energised by the messages that I have received from the boys over the past two days after they were notified of their selections. That it means as much to Bruno, Nathaniel, Nick, Kye and Gianni, players who have yet to take the pitch for Australia, as it does for a Maty (Ryan) or ‘Lecks’ (Mathew Leckie) highlights to me that they can’t wait to be back together to tackle this challenge head on and continue this great journey together.”

As previously reported, Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren will depart camp following the Japan fixture for his wedding the following week.

Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci will attend the first week of camp, with gloveman Ryan and Danny Vukovic not due to arrive in Australia until late on Tuesday.

Socceroos squad: Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts, Scotland), Aziz Behich (Giresunspor, Turkey), Martin Boyle (Al-Faisaly, Saudi Arabia), Nick D’Agostino (Melbourne Victory), Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew, USA), Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama, Japan), Bruno Fornaroli (Perth Glory), Denis Genreau (Toulouse, France), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Ajdin Hrustic (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli, Germany), James Jeggo (KAS Eupen), Fran Karacic (Brescia, Italy), Joel King (Odense Boldklub, Denmark), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City), Connor Metcalfe Melbourne City), Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Tom Rogic (Celtic, Scotland), Kye Rowles (Central Coast Mariners), Mat Ryan (Real Sociedad, Spain), Trent Sainsbury (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Gianni Stemsness (Viking FK, Denmark), Marco Tilio (Melbourne City), Danny Vukovic (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands),