Fran Karacic delighted to back in the Socceroos squad after a lengthy absence

With his club career back on track, Fran Karacic hopes to make the most of his recall to the Socceroos squad.

Fran Karacic is dreaming of playing at a second FIFA World Cup after being named in a Socceroos squad for the first time in more than two years.

Karacic, 28, was part of Australia’s squad at the 2022 World Cup and was involved in matches against Tunisia and Argentina, who beat the Socceroos 2-1 in the round-of-16 before going on to win the tournament.

However, it has taken until the Socceroos squad named for Thursday night’s battle with Indonesia in Sydney and Tuesday’s clash against China in Hangzhou for the right-back to be back with the national team.

“I’m happy to be here because I was watching Socceroos for the last two years, and I’m happy to be here to help the national team to reach the (2026) World Cup … the best competition in the world,” Karacic told the Socceroos website.

“Most of the players I know from before. A couple of players are new, some players are from the (2022) World Cup, and I’m enjoying it.”

Fran Karacic is thrilled to be back in the Socceroos squad. Picture: Ryan Pierse – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Born in Croatia but eligible to play for the Socceroos due to his father being born in Australia, Karacic made his debut for the national team under then coach Graham Arnold in June 2021 in a 3-0 win over Kuwait.

It eventually led to the “best three or four weeks in my life” when Karacic was named by Arnold in the Socceroos squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

However, after that, Karacic’s career stagnated and he didn’t have a club team for several months after his stint with Italian outfit ended at the completion of the 2022-23 season.

He eventually returned to Croatia to join NK Rudes before signing last year with Lokomotiva Zagreb, where he is now club captain.

“And now I’m back in the national team, so for me, it’s very good now,” said Karacic, who is happy to playing under Arnold’s successor as Socceroos coach, Tony Popovic, for the first time.

“I heard about him from a lot of people in Croatia who know him. I heard he’s a very good coach.

“He told us everything that he wants from us. We are, at this moment, the best players in the country … and we need to behave like that.

“I’m here to help. If I play, I’ll give 100 per cent every time.”