Melbourne City ace Jamie Maclaren earns recall to Socceroos squad

Star A-League marksman Jamie Maclaren is back in selection favour with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.

Melbourne City captain Jamie Maclaren has been recalled to the Socceroos squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.

Not picked in Australia’s previous two squads, partly due to the fact the A-League season hadn’t started, striker Maclaren’s selection is one of four changes to the 23-man contingent that gathered in London for last month’s friendly internationals against England and New Zealand.

Also brought into the squad were uncapped Portsmouth attacker Kusini Yengi, Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Adelaide United gloveman Joe Gauci.

Dropped from last month’s squad were defender Milos Degenek, winger Awer Mabil and keepers Thomas Glover and Andrew Redmayne.

Jamie Maclaren has earned a Socceroos recall. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Red Star Belgrade’s Degenek, who had been a regular part of Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s squads, has paid the price for a lack of game time at club level.

“Milos Degenek is not in the squad this time because he hasn’t played for quite a while,” Arnold said.

“I don’t get time to get the players fit – they have to be ready when they come into camp.

“We get two training sessions that are short on detail, and it’s about just taking that energy out on the pitch and getting the job done.”

Lack of minutes for Italian club side Hellas Verona is also the reason for the ongoing absence of playmaker Ajdin Hrustic.

“I’ve been saying it for four or five years, match minutes is the most important thing,” Arnold said.

“Ajdin Hrustic is not getting any game time as well.”

The Socceroos play Bangladesh at Melbourne’s AAMI Park next Thursday night before travelling to neutral Kuwait to meet Palestine on November 21.

“It’s important that we build and maintain a momentum that will see us be successful throughout this campaign and beyond,” Arnold said.

“We’re all really looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd.

“The connection we have with our fans and the energy and support they bring is a huge driver for us. I know the players can’t wait.

“We’ve had the opportunity to test ourselves against some of world football’s best in the last six months, and our performances have shown just how effective we can be, learning a lot along the way.

“It was a chance to grow as a group, providing opportunities to younger players in preparation for the start of the 2026 World Cup qualification cycle.

“Those performances have not only shown what we’re capable of, but reinforced a strong belief within this group as we begin an extremely important period.”

Socceroos: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello. Jordy Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin. Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Jamie Maclaren, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan (c), Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain, Kusini Yengi.