Soccer-Australia defender Matthews exits pre-World Cup camp with injury

Soccer-Australia defender Matthews exits pre-World Cup camp with injury

The Star Online - Sport·2026-05-20 11:01

MELBOURNE, May 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Australia defender Hayden Matthews has pulled out ⁠of the Socceroos' pre-World Cup camp in ‌Florida with injury, opening the door for uncapped 18-year-old centre back Dylan Leonard to join the training squad.

Here ​are some details:

* Portsmouth centre ⁠back Matthews' hopes of ⁠selection for the June 11 to July 19 ⁠World ‌Cup are likely to be over following an ankle injury, media reported.

* ⁠Leonard, who plays for German club Schalke ​04, earns ‌his first call-up to an Australia squad.

* ⁠Leonard joined ​12 additions to the training squad in Sarasota, including defender Gianni Stensness, who returns to the ⁠squad for the first time since ​October 2024.

* The new arrivals join 19 players already in camp ahead of coach Tony Popovic ⁠picking his final 26 for the World Cup.

* Cameron Devlin, Martin Boyle and Ante Suto joined from Scotland, while Jacob Italiano, Jason Geria, ​Milos Degenek, Aiden O'Neill ⁠and Jordan Bos were also added.

* Australia play ​Turkey, the United States and ‌Paraguay in the group stage ​at the World Cup.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie Freed)

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