Mitch Duke dreaming of going to another FIFA World Cup after helping seal Australia’s qualification

Veteran striker Mitch Duke has grabbed an unexpected opportunity with the Socceroos with both hands.

Mitch Duke (15) celebrates with Martin Boyle (second from left) and other teammates after scoring for Australia against Saudi Arabia. Picture: Abdel Ghani Bashir / AFP

If Mitch Duke needed reminding that he was the latest of late call-ups to the Socceroos squad for the matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia, it came last week when he walked into his Perth hotel room.

Duke was a last-minute inclusion in the squad after an injured Mathew Leckie withdrew following the A-League grand final on May 31.

However, the late nature of the squad change seemed to catch Socceroos and hotel staff off guard, with Duke understood to have been greeted by a message along the lines of “Welcome Mr Leckie” when he got to his room.

Not that it bothered veteran marksman Duke, who, having been given a selection reprieve, was desperate to make the most of it.

And that he did. After coming on as a second-half replacement in Australia’s 1-0 win over Japan last Thursday in Perth, Duke started on Wednesday morning (AEST) against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah and secured man-of-the-match honours with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win that sealed 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification for the Socceroos.

Mitch Duke scores the Socceroos’ second goal in Australia’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I wasn’t even supposed to be here,” a delighted Duke said after the win.

“Mat Leckie got injured and I was a late call-up … but it feels good and is probably a good way to silence some of the keyboard warriors as well.

Duke, 34, has often been a target of unruly fans despite his tireless work as a centre-forward for the Socceroos.

“A personal triumph feels very good, but I’m more happy just for the boys, honestly,” he said after helping Australia qualify.

“Everyone stepped up when they needed to.”

Duke, whose 13 goals for Australia includes one at the 2022 World Cup, remains hopeful of also playing at next year’s edition of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“All I can do is take the opportunities when they’re presented to me, do well at club football and hope I just keep doing well – that’s all you can do,” said the experienced striker, who has struggled for significant game this season at his Japanese club Machida Zelvia.

“There are a lot of young players up and coming (for the Socceroos). There are exciting prospects.”

Duke (left) takes instructions from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic during Australia’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

For Socceroos boss Tony Popovic – who took over from previous coach Graham Arnold in September last year at a tough stage in qualifying – the chance to go to another World Cup, this time as a coach after being part of Australia’s squad at Germany 2006, will be a “privilege”.

“It is special,” said Popovic, who is yet to taste defeat as coach of the national team, having a record of five wins and three draws from eight games in charge.

“I know my parents are very proud and my sister as well. It’s not something you see happening. When you’re young, you dream of these things.

“We’ve done the first part, qualifying automatically, and now the next part is to be bigger and better for the World Cup.”

Originally published as Mitch Duke dreaming of going to another FIFA World Cup after helping seal Australia’s qualification