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Socceroos Call Up Man United Teen James Overy as Popovic Opens 2026 World Cup Door

The 18-year-old right-back earns a first senior invite following standout U-20 World Cup displays plus rising involvement in Manchester United first-team training.

Overview

  • Overy is named to Australia’s senior squad for U.S. friendlies against Venezuela in Houston on November 15 and Colombia in New York on November 19.
  • Coach Tony Popovic says any player in this camp is a genuine World Cup candidate, citing Overy as worth immediate assessment.
  • The defender remains uncapped at senior level and has yet to play for Manchester United’s first team, featuring instead for the club’s Under-18s and Under-21s while joining first-team sessions.
  • Overy rebounded from an eight-month Achilles injury after signing in 2024 and impressed at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he was Australia’s youngest player.
  • He is among seven uncapped selections as Popovic broadens options, with Al Hassan Toure and Deni Juric also called up as Australia builds depth after securing World Cup qualification.