Connor Metcalfe

Connor Metcalfe is a central midfielder named in Tony Popovic's 29-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, ahead of Australia's final 26 due by 1 June. Newcastle-born and 26, he came through Melbourne City before moving to FC St. Pauli, and he has 34 caps for Australia. His one international goal was the equaliser against Saudi Arabia in June 2025 that helped seal qualification, and he is listed in the midfield group.

If he is confirmed, the tournament would be his first senior World Cup. Australia were drawn in Group D with Turkey, the United States and Paraguay, opening against Turkey at BC Place in Vancouver on 13 June. Popovic's side qualified through the AFC route and set up in a 3-4-3. Metcalfe's place is in the preliminary squad, to be confirmed when the final 26 is named.

Metcalfe is a versatile, energetic central midfielder who covers a lot of ground box to box. He can drop deeper to help win the ball or push on to support attacks, carrying it forward and arriving in the area when the chance comes.

His engine and willingness to run make him a useful option in a midfield that has to cover space in Tony Popovic's 3-4-3. He came through Melbourne City and now plays his club football in Germany with FC St. Pauli.

Metcalfe is a box-to-box midfielder who covers ground at both ends, and he chipped in with the goal that helped Australia qualify. His running through the middle is part of what that inexpensive side offers when the action starts. That equaliser against Saudi Arabia is the kind of moment his energy can help produce.

Costing £10m in Tier 4, Australia are an economical team to field alongside pricier names, with their Group D campaign still to come.