Football Australia has today confirmed the 20-player Subway Joeys squad that will represent Australia at the 27th International Youth Football in Niigata, Japan.
Carl Veart has selected every member of the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships Under 16 Team of the Tournament in his first squad as the Subway Joeys Head Coach.
The group features Golden Boot winner Orson Conroy, Player of the Tournament Aston Reid, and Goalkeeper of the Tournament Lachlan Allen - underlining the calibre of talent progressing through the National pathway.
Among the selected players is Max Court, who recently gained senior experience with APIA Leichhardt FC in the Hahn Australia Cup, appearing in both the Round of 32 and Round of 16. In addition, 17 of the 20 players are already contracted to Isuzu UTE A-League Men clubs, reflecting the opportunities being provided to young Australian players at professional level.
The 27th International Youth Football in Niigata will see Australia compete against Under 17 teams from Wales, Japan, and a Niigata selection side. The four-team tournament will be staged in a round-robin format, with the champion determined by the team with the strongest record at the conclusion of the matches.
Australia's fixtures will be played at Sun Sportsland Shibata and Denka Big Swan Stadium in Niigata, with Carl Veart's squad to face Niigata on Thursday, 11 September, Wales on Saturday, 13 September, and Japan on Monday, 15 September.
While the tournament is staged for players born in 2008 (U17 age group), Australia will take a predominantly U16-based squad (2009-born) as part of its preparation for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, which will be held in Jordan from 20 November - 1 December this year.
Given the short international window, the squad will be domestically based and will assemble in Sydney for a two-day preparation camp on Saturday, 6 September before departing for Japan on Monday, 8 September.
Quotes attributable to Subway Joeys Head Coach, Carl Veart:
"This squad showcases the exciting talent in Australian football. The CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships have proven to be an important pathway, and this tournament in Japan is the next step in helping our players grow on the international stage.
"Competing against Japan, Wales and the Niigata selection side will challenge our boys in different ways and provide invaluable experience as we prepare for the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers later this year.
"Although this is an U17 tournament, we've deliberately chosen a younger squad with 2009-born players in mind. Gaining this exposure now is about building their confidence and ensuring they are ready to perform when the qualifiers arrive in November."
Subway Joeys Squad | 27th International Youth Football in Niigata
| Name | Position | Current Club | Junior Club / Member Federation |
| Jai Ajanovic | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners FC | Gymea United FC / Football NSW |
| Akol Akon | Attacker | Sydney FC | St Marys Convent SC / Football NSW |
| Lachlan Allen | Goalkeeper | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Ramsgate RSL / Football NSW |
| Beckham Baker | Attacker | Melbourne City FC | West Point SC / Football VIC |
| Luke Becvinovski | Attacker | Melbourne City FC | Pascoe Vale FC / Football VIC |
| Josh Brazete | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Curl Curl FC / Football NSW |
| Joshua Cetinic | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Hills United FC / Football NSW |
| Orson Conroy | Attacker | APIA Leichhardt FC | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
| Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki | Defender | Adelaide United FC | Valley View SC / Football SA |
| Max Court | Attacker | APIA Leichhardt FC | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
| Akeem Gerald | Attacker | Melbourne City FC | FC Bulleen Lions / Football VIC |
| Feyzo Kasumovic | Defender | Adelaide United FC | Croydon FC / Football SA |
| Emile Katrib | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Panania Diggers SC / Football NSW |
| William Kengni | Defender | Western United FC | Whittlesea Ranges FC / Football VIC |
| Miles Milliner | Defender | Sydney FC | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSW |
| Sajjad Nasiri | Midfielder | Adelaide United FC | Ingle Farm SC / Football SA |
| Julian Recchia | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC | FC Bulleen Lions / Football VIC |
| Aston Reid | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Lilli Pilli FC / Football NSW |
| Marcus Savic | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Moorebank Sports SC / Football NSW |
| Taj Sorensen | Midfielder | Logan Lightning FC | Logan Lightning FC / Football QLD |
Subway Joeys Match Schedule | 27th International Youth Football in Niigata
Subway Joeys v Niigata
Where: Sun Sportsland Shibata, Niigata
When: Thursday, 11 September
Kick-off: 3.00pm Local, 4.00pm AEST
Subway Joeys v Wales
Where: Sun Sportsland Shibata, Niigata
When: Saturday, 13 September
Kick-off: 3.00pm Local, 4.00pm AEST
Subway Joeys v Japan
Where: Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata
When: Monday, 15 September
Kick-off: 3.00pm Local, 4.00pm AEST
