CommBank Joeys Squad Named for ASEAN U17 Championship 2026

CommBank Joeys Head Coach Carl Veart has announced a 23-player squad to represent Australia at the ASEAN U17 Championship 2026. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 8 April to 24 April 2026.

Australia enters the competition as the defending champion, having won the 2024 edition of the tournament. For the 2026 campaign, the team has been placed in Group C, where they will compete against Cambodia, Singapore, and Brunei.

Squad Selection and New Call-ups

The 23-player roster includes three players making their first appearance for a CommBank Joeys squad. These new additions are Archie Mitchell from Brisbane Roar, Nate Robson from Western Sydney Wanderers, and Achnaff Sayon from Perth Glory.

The inclusion of these players is part of a broader developmental strategy. According to Football Australia, the ASEAN U17 Championship serves as a critical preparation phase for the squad ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in May 2026.

Coach’s Perspective on Development

Head Coach Carl Veart emphasized that the tournament is a vital component of the players’ growth as international competitors. He noted that the environment of tournament football differs significantly from domestic settings and training camps.

The ASEAN U17 Championship is a really important step in this group’s development. Tournament football presents a completely different challenge to domestic and training environments and this experience will be invaluable for their growth as international players.

Carl Veart

Veart further explained that the competition allows the coaching staff to expose the players to the specific demands of high-level international football, including various playing styles and environmental expectations. He stated that the tournament fits into the long-term pathway for the team, allowing them to reinforce the standards and behaviors expected at the national team level while competing in a competitive setting.

Tournament Schedule and Fixtures

The CommBank Joeys will begin their Group C campaign on 11 April 2026. Their opening match will be against Brunei, hosted at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo in Sidoarjo, Indonesia.

Following the opening fixture, the squad will play two additional group stage matches at the same venue:

• 14 April 2026: Against Singapore
• 17 April 2026: Against Cambodia

Team Context and History

The Australia national under-17 soccer team, known as the Joeys, is governed by Football Australia. The team is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Historically, the Joeys have achieved significant success in regional competitions, including being two-time AFF champions and ten-time OFC champions prior to their transition to the AFC in 2006.

The team’s record in the ASEAN U16/U17 Boys’ Championship includes titles in 2008, 2016, and 2024. On the global stage, the Joeys have appeared in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 13 times, with their best result being a runners-up finish in 1999.