Socceroos coach searches for Harry Souttar replacement as key games loom

The Australian national football team (Socceroos) is currently facing a severe challenge in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After four matches, four teams are only one point behind them, making the competition for direct qualification extremely fierce. However, the team is also grappling with the loss of key players, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of their World Cup qualification bid.

Central defender Harry Souttar will be out for months due to an Achilles tendon rupture. This is undoubtedly a huge blow for the Australian team, which is seeking stable performance under the guidance of Tony Popovic. Souttar's absence means the team has lost a player who provides the strongest guarantee in defense, posing greater challenges in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

With less than two months until the match against Indonesia at Sydney Football Stadium on March 20, filling the huge void left by Souttar has become coach Popovic's top priority. Popovic admitted, "It's impossible to find a replacement like Souttar; his characteristics are unique. But this is indeed a blow, and we must find a solution." He stated that the team is looking for players who can provide stability in the defense and is open to players' technical and physical qualities.

Popovic also mentioned that the team might discover players like Jason Geria, who has been performing exceptionally well recently, as if he has been playing for the national team for many years. In addition, Cameron Burgess, Souttar's regular partner, does not get much playing time in the Premier League. Sydney FC's young player Hayden Matthews was also highly regarded, but his upcoming transfer to Portsmouth in England may affect his playing time. Another defender, Kye Rowles, also needs to adapt to a new environment after transferring to D.C. United in the United States.

Nevertheless, Souttar's absence is not unprecedented. In the previous qualifiers, he was absent due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear but made a strong return at the Qatar World Cup, helping Australia achieve their best-ever result. However, this time they must avoid qualifying through the playoffs without the 2-meter-tall center-back, which is undoubtedly a daunting task. In addition, Popovic's choice in the goalkeeper position may also become clearer, as captain Mat Ryan's potential transfer to Lens in France might simplify his decision in that position.

Besides the defense, the Australian team is also facing injury problems in the attack. Forward Kusini Yengi, who has been performing well recently, has been out for six weeks due to a knee injury and is expected to be out for at least another month. Another forward, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, has also seen a decline in form due to a calf injury. Popovic said, "He played with an injury, and in hindsight, perhaps he shouldn't have played, but he's a player who is eager to play. He has suffered some setbacks, and we need to wait for his return."

The Australian team will face Indonesia, coached by Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert, in Sydney on March 20 and then travel to play against China five days later. The last two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers are against top-ranked Japan in Perth on June 5 and away against Saudi Arabia. These matches are crucial for the Australian team, and they must overcome numerous difficulties to ultimately secure their place in the World Cup.