CITYROOS: Academy graduates and former stars World Cup-bound

Melbourne City’s influence on the Socceroos setup extends well beyond the Club’s current squad, with four more familiar faces named in Tony Popovic’s 26-man FIFA World Cup squad.

Alongside current City stars Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie and Patrick Beach, City Academy graduates Jordan Bos and Connor Metcalfe have both earned selection for their first World Cups, while former City players Kai Trewin and Aiden O’Neill will also head to football’s biggest stage.

It means more than a quarter of Australia’s World Cup squad shares a strong Melbourne City connection, highlighting the Club’s continued contribution to the national team setup.

Academy graduates reach football’s biggest stage

Bos and Metcalfe are set to become just the third and fourth Melbourne City Academy graduates to feature at a FIFA World Cup, following Daniel Arzani in 2018 and Nathaniel Atkinson in 2022.

After making his senior debut in 2018, Metcalfe went on to make 84 appearances and score 11 goals in City colours, developing into one of the competition’s standout midfielders before earning his move to Europe.

Bos burst onto the scene a few years later, making 52 senior appearances after debuting in 2022 and quickly establishing himself as one of the A-League’s brightest young talents.

Both players lifted silverware during their time at City before taking the next step in Europe, with Metcalfe now playing for FC St. Pauli in Germany and Bos currently with Dutch giants Feyenoord.

Former City stars rewarded

Former City midfielders Aiden O’Neill and Kai Trewin have also been rewarded with selection in Australia’s World Cup squad.

O’Neill spent three seasons at City between 2020 and 2023, making 64 appearances and scoring four goals during one of the most successful periods in Club history, which included three consecutive Premiers Plates.

Trewin was a key figure across the 2024/25 Championship-winning campaign and the opening half of the 2025/26 season, making 47 appearances before departing for the MLS earlier this year.

A composed and reliable presence in defence and midfield, Trewin’s impact was recognised at the Club’s Player of the Year night where he claimed the Scott Jamieson Medal in 2024/25.