🇦🇺 Australia

Popovic typically sets Australia in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that prioritises defensive compactness and rapid counter-attacks. Jackson Irvine drives forward from central midfield while Connor Metcalfe — also from St. Pauli — provides relentless pressing from a wider position. Nestory Irankunda and Awer Mabil stretch defences in behind, and the team looks to win the ball high and transition quickly rather than sustain possession through elaborate build-up.

Watch Nestory Irankunda first — the teenage winger signed by Watford from Bayern Munich's academy carries blistering pace and the directness to unsettle any full-back at this level. Jackson Irvine is the Socceroos' engine, a box-to-box midfielder who has captained the side and thrived in St. Pauli's high-intensity Bundesliga environment. Harry Souttar, when fit, gives Australia a commanding aerial presence and composure in possession that no other centre-back in this squad can match.

Jackson Irvine's leadership and engine in midfield give Australia genuine Bundesliga-tested intensity in the press. Nestory Irankunda's raw pace is a constant counter-attacking threat, and Mathew Leckie's big-game experience — he scored the goal that sent Australia to the 2022 quarter-finals — provides a proven match-winner.

Harry Souttar's injury record at Leicester City is a real concern; if he misses games, the central defensive options drop sharply in quality. Creative midfield depth is also thin — beyond Irvine, Cristian Volpato and Ajdin Hrustic must step up, and neither has yet nailed down consistent international form.