Jackson Irvine has announced that he will miss the last two World Cup qualifying matches for the Socceroos due to foot surgery, adding pressure on Tony Popovic’s team depth.
Irvine expressed his confidence in the Socceroos overcoming Japan and Saudi Arabia to secure their spot in next year’s World Cup in North America, sharing on social media about his upcoming surgery.
“I fully believe that both teams I cherish can take the final steps towards achieving our goals,” Irvine wrote on Instagram.
“I will be cheering alongside our amazing fans every step of the way.”
The key Australian midfielder has missed the last two weeks with his Bundesliga club, St Pauli, which sent him for scans, leading to the decision for surgery for the 32-year-old.
His absence is a significant setback for St Pauli, who are trying to avoid relegation with only three matches left this season.
For Socceroos coach Popovic, this is an even bigger dilemma, as they aim to defeat Japan, who have already qualified, in Perth on June 5, and then take on the Saudis— their main competitors for the final automatic qualification spot— in Jeddah on June 11.
Irvine has been a key player for Popovic, and his absence will be notably felt.
This loss is particularly concerning as the Socceroos are already without defensive leader Harry Souttar and wingback Jordan Bos.
In midfield, Massimo Luongo has been left out due to limited playtime at Premier League’s Ipswich Town, Aiden O’Neill recently transferred to the MLS with New York City, and Irvine’s St Pauli teammate Connor Metcalfe has just returned from an ankle injury.
