Australia national football team coach Graham Arnold has named a squad brimming with young talent for World Cup homecoming friendlies against Ecuador.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 26-player squad, which was announced on Tuesday, features four uncapped players and 20 who were part of Australia's run to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The games against Ecuador - in Sydney on March 24 and Melbourne on March 28 - will be the Socceroos' first since they lost 2-1 to Argentina in Qatar, a Xinhua report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In addition to serving as a celebration of the team's achievements in Qatar, the matches will act as a launching pad for the Socceroos' 2023 AFC Asian Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tuesday's squad includes Manchester City's Alexander Robertson, who has impressed for the Premier League giants' under-23 side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Robertson represented England at youth level and is also eligible for Scotland and Peru, but has committed to playing for the Socceroos.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A debut against Ecuador would make the 19-year-old a third-generation Socceroo, with his father and grandfather having also played for the national team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I've probably been talking to him for over 18 months. It was a matter of one step at a time," Arnold said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Robertson will be joined in the squad by fellow potential debutants Jordan Bos, Aiden O'Neill, Joe Gauci and Brandon Borrello - all of whom play in the domestic A-League - as well as Germany-based Connor Metcalfe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Adelaide United's rising star Nestory Irankunda will also join the training camp. The 17-year-old sensation has not yet started a senior game, but has scored or assisted a goal in five of his past six appearances off the bench.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Robertson will be joined in the squad by fellow potential debutants Jordan Bos, Aiden O'Neill, Joe Gauci and Brandon Borrello - all of whom play in the domestic A-League - as well as Germany-based Connor Metcalfe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n