Jackson Irvine to Miss Socceroos’ Crucial World Cup Qualifiers Due to Foot Surgery
Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine has confirmed he will miss the Socceroos’ final two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia as he prepares to undergo foot surgery. The decision places additional pressure on head coach Tony Popovic, who is already contending with a depleted squad ahead of the high-stakes matches.
Irvine, who has been sidelined for the past two weeks at Bundesliga club St Pauli, revealed via social media that medical scans indicated surgery was necessary. The 32-year-old expressed his support for both his club and country, stating, “I have complete confidence that both the teams I love can take the final steps towards our ultimate goals. I will be watching and supporting alongside our amazing fans every step until the end.”
His absence is a significant setback for St Pauli, who are battling to avoid relegation with only three games remaining. For the Socceroos, it’s an even bigger blow as they gear up to face already-qualified Japan in Perth on June 5, followed by a decisive clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 11, with a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America on the line.
Irvine’s unavailability compounds an already growing injury list for Australia, with defensive mainstay Harry Souttar and wingback Jordan Bos also ruled out. In midfield, options are limited — Massimo Luongo has been overlooked due to limited minutes at Ipswich Town, Aiden O’Neill recently moved to MLS club New York City, and Connor Metcalfe has only just returned from an ankle injury.
