Australia's World Cup injury crisis ahead of Paraguay match
Consensus Summary
Australia faces a significant injury crisis ahead of their World Cup group decider against Paraguay, with key players Jacob Italiano and Mat Leckie ruled out due to groin and hamstring injuries respectively. The Socceroos need a win or draw to secure second place in Group D, but coach Tony Popovic must navigate tactical challenges with limited right-sided options. Both sources confirm Jason Geria and Kai Trewin as likely replacements, while Paraguay will play without suspended winger Miguel Almirón. Popovic remains coy about his final XI, emphasizing that all squad players have a chance, though fan favorites like Nestory Irankunda are in contention. Historically, Australia has struggled against South American teams, adding pressure to the match, which holds personal significance for Popovic as it mirrors the end of his playing career against Paraguay in 2007.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jacob Italiano (wing-back) is ruled out of Australia's Paraguay World Cup game due to a groin (adductor) injury suffered in training this week
- Australia needs a win or draw against Paraguay to advance to the knockout stage from Group D
- Mat Leckie (winger) was also ruled out of the Paraguay game after limping out of the USA match with a hamstring strain
- The Paraguay game is scheduled for Friday, June 27, 2026, at 12:00pm AEST (Thursday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00am AEST in Santa Clara)
- Tony Popovic (Australia coach) stated he is considering all possible replacements and that every squad player has a chance to play
- Paraguay's Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United winger) is suspended for the match after being sent off in their 1-0 win over Turkey
- Jason Geria is named as a likely replacement for Italiano, having played on the right side of central defense in the USA match
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The injury means Popovic is without two right-sided players for the Paraguay game, after Mat Leckie limped out of the USA match.
- Australia has historically struggled against South American opponents, winning just 9 of 50 encounters and losing to Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia since 2023.
- Aziz Behich is an option to play on the right of defense despite being a predominantly left-sided player.
- Popovic scored in his final international against Paraguay in 2007 and noted the full-circle moment of coaching Australia against them again.
- Popovic insisted his side would not play for a draw despite needing just a point to progress.
- Kai Trewin, who started for Australia at full-back in the warm-up match against Switzerland, is another likely replacement for Italiano.
- Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe, and Cristian Volpato are strong candidates to replace Leckie, with Irankunda making a strong claim as a fan favorite.
- Popovic declined to elaborate on whether Irankunda should start or come off the bench, stating that players are happy if they play and unhappy if they don’t.
- Popovic noted that Australia played nine players from the first match against the USA, expressing disappointment in the performance rather than selection decisions.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the Paraguay game is at 12pm AEST on Friday, while The Guardian says it is at 5am AEST on Friday (Thursday in Santa Clara), but both confirm the same local time of 12pm AEST for Australia.
- ABC mentions Popovic's personal history with Paraguay (scoring in his final game against them in 2007), while The Guardian does not reference this detail.
Source Articles
Key Socceroos cog ruled out with injury ahead of crucial Paraguay game
Wing-back Jacob Italiano is ruled out of Australia's crucial World Cup clash with Paraguay after suffering a groin injury.
Australia forced into changes for crucial World Cup group game against Paraguay
Italiano and Leckie out from side that played USA Win or a draw will secure second place Australia will be forced to make changes for their final World Cup group match against Paraguay in Santa Clara on Thursday (Friday 5am AEST), after a second player from their starting XI against the USA was ruled out with an injury. The right-back Jacob Italiano picked up an adductor injury at training this week and will miss the Group D finale, joining the winger Mat Leckie, who suffered a hamstring strain