Socceroos vs Brazil - Three Potential Attacking Debutants

Younis was one of the unlucky players to miss Australia's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, but the 21-year-old has responded in the best possible fashion to earn his first Socceroos call-up for the two-match series against Brazil. Younis had forced himself into the selection conversation following a superb loan spell with Melbourne City, producing seven goals and three assists from just 11 A-League appearances. His explosive finish to the campaign included five goals and two assists in April, earning him the PFA Player of the Month award as City secured a finals berth.

After returning to parent club Brondby, Younis has carried that momentum into the Danish Superliga and established himself as a regular starter. He has already contributed a goal and an assist in the league this season, with his pace, direct running and ability to attack defenders helping him break into Brondby's first-choice side after initially struggling for opportunities following his move to Denmark.

It represents an impressive turnaround for the former Western Sydney Wanderers youngster, whose short return to the A-League ultimately proved the catalyst for his breakthrough in Europe.

Younis now has the opportunity to turn that club form into a Socceroos debut against Brazil. His ability to play in advanced areas, carry the ball at speed and produce moments of individual quality gives Popovic another exciting attacking option as Australia begins building towards the 2027 Asian Cup.

After narrowly missing the opportunity to represent his country at the World Cup, a debut against five-time world champions Brazil would be a significant next step in what has already been a rapid rise over the past year.

Dukuly's swift rise has taken another major step, with the former Adelaide United winger earning his first Socceroos call-up for these pair of friendlies. The 23-year-old moved from Adelaide to Slovenian champions NK Celje in July, signing a deal through to June 2029 after producing the most influential A-League campaign of his career. Dukuly finished 2025-26 with two goals and seven assists from 25 league appearances, ranking fourth in the competition for assists as his pace, direct running and creativity became a major feature of Adelaide's attack.

Dukuly has carried that momentum into his return to European football. Celje have already used him regularly across domestic and European competition, and the winger has found the net in both the Slovenian league and during the club's European qualifying campaign. His ability to operate out wide, attack defenders one-on-one and create opportunities from advanced areas gives him a point of difference heading into his first senior international camp. It is also a significant progression from his previous European spell with Reims II, with Dukuly now arriving in the Socceroos setup as a player receiving meaningful first-team and European minutes.

The Brazil series presents an immediate opportunity for Dukuly to show whether those qualities can translate to international football. He is one of several uncapped players selected by Popovic and enters the camp having already represented Australia at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 level. 

Against an opponent of Brazil's quality, Dukuly's speed and willingness to carry the ball forward could make him particularly useful if the Socceroos are forced to spend periods defending before attacking quickly in transition. His breakout season with Adelaide showed an improved final product to complement his natural athleticism, while his early months at Celje have exposed him to a different tactical environment and European opposition, with Dukuly scoring in Champions League qualifying and starting in the Europa League against German giants Bayer Leverkusen.

Whether Popovic uses him from the start or as an option from the bench, Dukuly shapes as one of the most intriguing new faces in this Socceroos squad and could use the Brazil series to push his case for a larger role heading towards the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Adams arrives in his first Socceroos camp after turning a breakout spell with Newcastle Jets into a move to Japanese powerhouse Gamba Osaka. The 24-year-old emerged as one of Newcastle's key attacking weapons during their historic 2025-26 campaign, with the Jets winning their first A-League Premiers Plate after also lifting the 2025 Australia Cup. Operating predominantly from the flank, Adams' direct running and ability to find the net made him an important part of Mark Milligan's side, while his performances were recognised with selection on the bench in the PFA A-League Team of the Season.

Adams was particularly influential when Newcastle's season reached the finals. He scored the equaliser in the first leg of their semi-final against Sydney FC before producing a dramatic stoppage-time volley in the return leg to force extra time in front of more than 25,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium. His performances - which included 12 goal contributions in 25 A-League games (8G, 4A) - ultimately earned him a permanent transfer to Gamba Osaka in July, giving Adams the opportunity to test himself in the J1 League. The move continued a rapid rise for a player who had previously represented Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory before establishing himself as a genuine attacking threat with the Jets.

That progression has now been rewarded by Popovic after Adams got his first taste of continental football with Gamba in the AFC Champions League Elite, coming off the bench in a 4-1 win over Cong An Ha Noi. His pace, left foot and ability to attack defenders could provide Australia with another dangerous option in transition, while his recent exposure to J1 League football adds another dimension to a player who was already coming off two strong seasons in Newcastle.