Socceroos Honored by Football Australia with Pins

Football Australia is proud to honour the rich history and legacy of the CommBank Socceroos.

During the recent March Men's international window, national team players were awarded a specially designed lapel pin to celebrate their contribution to Australian football following their retirement from international football.

The gold-plated, lapel pins feature the Australian Crest at their centre, mirroring the crest on the national team jerseys. The word 'Socceroo' is embossed at the top, with 'Australia' positioned below the Crest.

In recognition of their historic contributions, these pioneers received an emerald gemstone in the Federation Star of their lapel pins. Additionally, players who have played 50 or more international matches will receive a diamond gemstone, signifying their distinguished service to the national team.

Tony Popovic

• Tony Popovic made 58 appearances for the CommBank Socceroos between 1995 and 2006 and was part of the 'Golden Generation' which ended a 32-year drought from the FIFA World Cup
• Since September 2024, Popovic has been the Head Coach of the Socceroos and is set to become the first Australian to appear at the FIFA World Cup as both a player and now manager

Mile Jedinak

• Mile Jedinak recorded 79 caps for Australia and captain his country at three major tournaments - the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups as well as the successful 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign
• Jedinak is currently an Assistant Coach on Tony Popovic's Socceroos staff

Paul Okon

• Between 1991 and 2003, Paul Okon accumulated 28 caps for his country, captaining Australia in 24 of those matches
• Okon is currently an Assistant Coach on Tony Popovic's Socceroos staff

Hayden Foxe

• Hayden Foxe played 11 times for the Socceroos between 1998 and 2003, scoring two goals
• Foxe is currently an Assistant Coach on Tony Popovic's Socceroos staff

Frank Juric

• Frank Juric played two matches for Australia between 1995 and 1996
• Juric is currently the Goalkeeping Coach on Tony Popovic's Socceroos staff

Les Scheinflug AM

• Les Scheinflug AM made six appearances for the Socceroos and scored four goals
• Scheinflug served as Assistant Coach to Rale Rasic for Australia's inaugural 1974 FIFA World Cup campaign
• Scheinflug later served as Head Coach in the early 1980s before taking on several caretaker roles with the National Team in the early 1990s

Ante Covic

• Ante Covic made his international debut in 2006 and made 2 appearances for the Socceroos
• Ante's biggest achievement in an Australian jersey is being selected in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Squad

Brett Emerton

• Brett Emerton made his international debut in 1998 and recorded 95 appearances and scoring 20 goals for the Socceroos team
• Brett's greatest achievement in an Australian Jersey was winning two OFC Nations cups and being named as the 2002 Oceania Footballer of the year. He also featured at two FIFA World Cups in 2006 and 2010

Ahmad Elrich

• Ahmad Elrich made his debut in 2004 and made 17 appearances for the Socceroos
• His biggest achievement is being a member of the 2004 OFC Nations cup winning squad

Mark Schwarzer

• Mark Schwarzer made his debut in 1993 and achieved a current record of 109 caps for Australia, making Mark the most capped Socceroo
• Marks biggest achievement was being the hero of the 2005 World Cup playoff game, saving two penalties vs Uruguay to send Australia to its first World Cup in 32 years

Josip Skoko

• Josip Skoko made his international debut in 1997 and made 51 appearances for Australia
• Josip's best achievement in an Australian Jersey was winning the 2004 OFC Nations Cup with Australia

Mile Sterjovski

• Mile Sterjovski made his debut in 2001 and made 43 appearances for the Socceroos
• Mile's biggest achievement is scoring an international hat-trick vs Tahiti and representing Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Archie Thompson

• Archie Thompson made his debut in 2001 and made 54 appearances for the Socceroos
• One of his biggest achievements is scoring a world record 13 goals in a 31 win over American Samoa in the 2001 World Cup Qualifying stages

Luke Wilkshire

• Luke Wilkshire made his debut in 2004 and made 80 appearances for the Socceroos
• Luke's biggest achievements is being a starter at both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups

Col Bennett

• Col Bennett made his full international debut in August 1975 vs China in Melbourne. He achieved 32 full international matches for Australia
• Col was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2003

Matthew Bingley

• Matthew Bingley made 14 senior international appearances between 1993 to 1997, winning the 1996 OFC Nations Cup

Steve Calderan

• Steve Calderan made his debut in 1989 and made 3 appearances for the Socceroos

Ernie Campbell

• Ernie Campbell made his international debut in 1971 and achieved 24 caps for the Socceroos
• Ernie was a member of the 1974 FIFA World Cup Squad

Ryan Griffiths

• Ryan Griffiths made his international debut in 2006 and made appearances for the Socceroos
• George Harris made his debut in 1971 and made 28 appearances for the Socceroos

George Harris

• George was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2002

Tony Henderon

• Tony Henderson made his debut in 1979 and made 27 appearances for the Socceroos

Mark Koussas

• Mark Koussas made his debut in 1981 and made 3 appearances for the Socceroos

George Kulcsar

• George Kulcsar made his debut in 1996 and made 3 appearances for the Socceroos
• Allan Maher made his debut in 1975 and made 22 appearances for the Socceroos

Allan Maher

• Allan was a member of the 1974 FIFA World Cup Squad

Brad Maloney

• Brad Maloney made his debut in 1998 and made 22 appearances for the Socceroos
• Maloney also later went on to coach the Australia U17 side between 2022 and 2025

Joseph Spiteri

• Joseph Spiteri made his debut in 1995 and made 8 appearances for the Socceroos

Paul Wade

• Paul Wade made his debut in 1986 and made 84 appearances for the Socceroos, also serving as captain between 1990 and 1996

Robbie Wheatley

• Robbie Wheatley made his debut in 1981 and made 5 appearances for the Socceroos

Mark Bresciano

• Mark Bresciano made his debut in 2001 and made 84 appearances for the Socceroos
• Mark's biggest achievement is scoring the decisive goal against Uruguay in the 2005 World Cup playoff game, helping Australia end a 32-year qualification drought
• Bresciano also won the 2015 Asian Cup and was part of three FIFA World Cups: 2006, 2010 and 2014

George Christopoulos

• George Christopoulos was raised in Melbourne and earned 10 Socceroos appearances between 1978 and 1983

Gary Cole

• Born in England, Gary Cole made 19 Socceroos appearances

  Gary was inducted in the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2003

Thomas Cumming

• Tommy Cumming was born in Scotland and 4 caps for the Socceroos between 1979 and 1980

Steve Horvat

• Steve Horvat was born in Geelong and earned 31 caps between 1994 and 2002.

James Jeggo

• Jimmy was born in Austria and earned 15 caps for the Socceroos between 2018 and 2022

Jeffrey Olver

• Jeff Olver earned 37 Socceroos caps between 1984-1989 and was inducted into Football's Hall of Fame in 1999

Jason Polak

• Jason Polak earned 28 appearances for the Socceroos and 3 for the Australian Futsal National Team between 1988 and 1996

John Roberts

• John Roberts was born in Cessnock NSW and represented Australia for one cap in 1965

Jimmy Rooney

• Born in Dundee Scotland, Jimmy played in all three matches in West Germany in 1974 and was capped 57 times
• Jimmy was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1999

Ted Smith

• Raised in Melbourne, Ted Smith played twice for the Socceroos in Australia's 1956 Olympics squad
• Ted was inducted himself into Football's Hall of Fame in 2022

Kimon Taliadoros

• Kimon Taliadoros represented Australia on 4 occasions. He is also known for his commentary work and his administrative roles, including as President and CEO of Football Victoria from 2015-2023

Kris Trajanovski

• Born in Geelong, Kris earned 16 Socceroos appearances and was in the 1996 OFC Nations Cup winning squad

Rodrigo Vargas

• Born in Melbourne Roddie Vargas won 2 A-League Championships and Premierships and played 2 games for the Socceroos in 2009-10

John Yzendoorn

• Born in England John Yzendoorn moved to Australia at age 24 and made his debut for Australia one year later, playing 13 games for the Socceroos in 1980-81