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♔ ♕ ♚ ♛ Australia U17/U20/U23 National Team Tournaments & Discussion Thread ♔ ♕ ♚ ♛

Bruce Ramsay said:
I agree with your sentiment but if you are talking about him being selected (instead of Kane Vidmar) for this upcoming U23 Asian Cup, it was not possible as he is not yet eligible to represent Australia.

His sporting nationality is tied to Italy and he can only represent Australia if he requests, and is granted, a Change of Association. At this point in time, with the squad just announced, he has not made such a request.

Looking further ahead, from everything I have read about him and from his playing career so far, I very much doubt that he is interested in representing Australia at Youth level. I think that, like Volpato, he will wait until, or if, it becomes apparent that he is unlikely to ever receive a senior call up to Italy. Only then, in my thinking, will he (or Volpato) become more likely to request a Change of Association to Australia. Until either of them makes that change, we (Australia) can't select them for any of our teams at any level, including for Friendlies.
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What makes you think he won't pick the Socceroos? Just because one player did doesn't mean another will.

Also, youth internationals are different. If he got called up for the Azzurri senior team then he would have to request a change of association (provided he played under three friendlies for Italy and no competitive matches) but I'm pretty sure youth internationals are free to move around (take James Overy for example who played for Australia and Scotland before picking the Young Socceroos and then the Socceroos).
 
HonestSpursFan said:
What makes you think he won't pick the Socceroos? Just because one player did doesn't mean another will.

Also, youth internationals are different. If he got called up for the Azzurri senior team then he would have to request a change of association (provided he played under three friendlies for Italy and no competitive matches) but I'm pretty sure youth internationals are free to move around (take James Overy for example who played for Australia and Scotland before picking the Young Socceroos and then the Socceroos).
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Just a feeling I get given his career so far.

Sorry , but you are incorrect about youth internationals. Once they play in an official competition at youth level, they are tied to the sporting nationality of that country.

Until then, they are free to move around, because Friendlies or Non-official competition matches don't tie them to a sporting nationality.

Arena has played official competition matches for Italy. He played one Friendly at U16 level for Australia before playing for Italy. He is now tied to Italy until, or if, he requests a Change of Association to Australia.

Overy played 2 youth Friendlies for Scotland. He also played youth Friendlies for Australia before playing for Australia in the U20 World Cup. He is now tied to Australia. Scotland cannot pick him for anything, including Friendlies, unless he first requests a Change of Association to Scotland.
 
Bruce Ramsay said:
Just a feeling I get given his career so far.

Sorry , but you are incorrect about youth internationals. Once they play in an official competition at youth level, they are tied to the sporting nationality of that country.

Until then, they are free to move around, because Friendlies or Non-official competition matches don't tie them to a sporting nationality.

Arena has played official competition matches for Italy. He played one Friendly at U16 level for Australia before playing for Italy. He is now tied to Italy until, or if, he requests a Change of Association to Australia.

Overy played 2 youth Friendlies for Scotland. He also played youth Friendlies for Australia before playing for Australia in the U20 World Cup. He is now tied to Australia. Scotland cannot pick him for anything, including Friendlies, unless he first requests a Change of Association to Scotland.
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Thanks for the correction. My understanding is though that once you change your association as a senior then you cannot change back?
 
HonestSpursFan said:
Thanks for the correction. My understanding is though that once you change your association as a senior then you cannot change back?
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I have double checked the FIFA Rules and I don't think it matters whether you are a senior or a youth. The Rules make no distinction, referring only to "a player". The overriding principle applying to Change of Association is that it is a once-only option. There is, however, a once-only option to reverse the Change, but only in very specific circumstances.

I wouldn't think that too many players who opt to change association would meet those circumstances - but nevertheless, FIFA has provided a means for those who might find themselves in the circumstances that apply.
 
Bowden said:
Is literally anyone ever going to call out Kane Vidmar continuously being picked for these squads?

He was already undeserving as a benchy in the A-League during previous squads, but now that he’s a genuine NPL player it’s insulting to the integrity of FA.

Really wish the likes of Rugari or Joey Lynch would have the confidence to call this stuff out and ask FA for an explanation on how this level of corruption / nepotism is allowed.
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No media is covering this full stop. By this I mean a youth squad announcement. It's not a confidence thing, it's a complete lack of media thing.
 
onedaywinners... said:
socceroos.com.au

How To Watch: Australia at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026

The CommBank Australian U23s AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026™ Saudi Arabia campaign begins on Thursday, 8 January and here is
socceroos.com.au socceroos.com.au

Every game only on Paramount+ it seems
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It appears on the Paramount app now. Australian games are Thursday, Sunday and the following Wednesday, all coverage starting at 10.30pm, which is a pretty good time to watch Australian teams playing overseas.
 
HappyGuus said:
What do our experts think of the squad, any good?

NSW-12
VIC-8
SA-2
QLD-1
WA-1
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I think he is still experimenting to find players.

U17 world cup qualifiers is nearly here
I would imagine eames and mcnicol make the squad as well as tatu okon and kutleshi
 
onedaywinners... said:
Which Asian Cup??

The U23's starts tomorrow night I'm pretty sure, and the Women's one is in March. Is there another one in May???
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Sorry meant the u17 which is the main one i care about since u17 wc qualification is on the line
 

AUSTRALIAN U23S MATCH DETAILS | 2026 AFC U23 ASIAN CUP™​

Australia v Thailand
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Venue: Al Shabab FC Arena, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+

China PR v Australia
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Al Shabab FC Arena, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+

Iraq v Australia
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Venue: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Kick-off: 14:30 local/22:30 AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
 
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