CommBank Australian U23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar, has named a 23-player squad for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which begins on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
This tournament is a critical pillar of the national team pathway and an important opportunity for Australia’s best emerging players to represent their country on the international stage.
Representing Australia provides long-term benefits for players, clubs, and the broader Australian football ecosystem. Football Australia sincerely acknowledges and thanks the clubs that have released players for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, particularly outside the FIFA international window.
The squad is headlined by overseas-based players James Overy (Manchester United FC), Jed Drew (TSV Hartberg), Steven Hall (Brighton Hove & Albion FC) and alongside well-known Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s players Ethan Alagich, Yaya Dukuly and Jordi Valadon.
Quotes attributable to CommBank Australian U23s Head Coach Tony Vidmar:
“This is an important opportunity to compete in a major Asian tournament and test our players against the best teams and talent in the region.”
“While many players were unavailable for selection, we have worked hard to build depth within the squad, and this tournament creates opportunities for players who have performed strongly over the past six months.”
“Players who have recently participated in this tournament and gone on to represent the Socceroos include Joe Gauci, Jordy Bos, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi, Lewis Miller, Jacob Italiano, Nishan Velupillay, Ryan Teague, Patrick Beach, Mo Toure, and Kai Trewin.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how this group comes together and performs as we continue to win in Asia.”
The CommBank Australian U23s have been drawn in Group D and will begin their 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign against Thailand on 8 January, before facing China and concluding the group stage against Iraq.
The top two teams in each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals.
All matches of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup will be shown live and exclusive on Paramount+.
COMMBANK AUSTRALIAN U23S SQUAD | 2026 AFC ASIAN CUP
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| Louis Agosti | Midfielder | Dolomiti Bellunesi |
| Ethan Alagich | Midfielder | Adelaide United FC |
| Lachlan Allen | Goalkeeper | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Nathanael Blair | Forward | Perth Glory FC |
| Giuseppe Bovalina | Defender | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Jed Drew | Forward | TSV Hartberg |
| Yaya Dukuly | Foward | Adelaide United FC |
| Steven Hall | Goalkeeper | Brighton Hove & Albion FC |
| Aydan Hammond | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Marcus Humbert | Midfielder | Heidelberg United FC |
| Luka Jovanovic | Forward | Adelaide United FC |
| Mathias Macallister | Forward | Sydney FC |
| Kaelan Majekodunmi | Defender | Perth Glory FC |
| James Overy | Defender | Manchester United FC |
| Nathan Paull | Defender | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Jaylan Pearman | Midfielder | Queens Park Rangers FC |
| Dylan Peraic-Cullen | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Ariath Piol | Forward | Real Salt Lake |
| Joshua Rawlins | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC |
| Aidan Simmons | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Jordi Valadon | Midfielder | Melbourne Victory FC |
| Kane Vidmar | Defender | West Torrens Birkalla SC |
| Marcus Younis | Forward | Brondby IF |
COMMBANK AUSTRALIAN U23S MATCH DETAILS | 2026 AFC U23 ASIAN CUP
Australia v Thailand
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Venue: Al Shabab FC Arena, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
China v Australia
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Al Shabab FC Arena, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
Iraq v Australia
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Venue: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
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