The Socceroos have suffered a significant loss as the World Cup playoff approaches with Tom Rogic pulling out of the squad.
Former Celtic star Rogic - arguably Australia's most in-form player - has withdrawn from the squad because of personal reasons - meaning he will miss the green-and-gold's World Cup playoff against the UAE on June 8 (AEST) and a subsequent playoff against Peru if the Socceroos win.
Rogic - who won't be replaced in the squad by any players - will also be absent from Australia's friendly match against Jordan on June 2 (AEST).
Socceroos World Cup hub: Play-off details, fixtures, results, group standings and latest squad
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold didn't want to focus on the negative of the Rogic loss, believing Australia could produce 'special' performances in their bid to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
“My focus must now be on the players we have here in Qatar,” Arnold said.
“We have selected an extended squad of quality players and I believe that we will achieve something special for Australia over the next two weeks.”
Rogic, who is currently a free agent, played a key role in Celtic's title campaign under Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, and would have been a certain starter for the Socceroos.
Talented playmaker Ajdin Hrustic will be expected to step into the creative role vacated by Rogic, with the Eintracht Frankfurt star having a good season in the Bundesliga and even scoring in the penalty shootout during the German's triumph in the Europa League final.
Middlesbrough talent Riley McGree could also be an option to replace Rogic.
Full Socceroo squad UAE (World Cup playoff) and Jordan (friendly)
| Name | Club, Country |
| Nathaniel ATKINSON | Heart of Midlothian, Scotland |
| Aziz BEHICH | Uncontracted |
| Martin BOYLE | Al-Faisaly FC, Saudi Arabia |
| Nicholas D’AGOSTINO | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia |
| Jason DAVIDSON | Melbourne Victory FC, Australia |
| Milos DEGENEK | Columbus Crew, USA |
| Kenny DOUGALL | Blackpool FC, England |
| Mitchell DUKE | Fagiano Okayama, Japan |
| Denis GENREAU | Toulouse FC, France |
| Craig GOODWIN | Adelaide United FC, Australia |
| Ajdin HRUSTIC | Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany |
| Jackson IRVINE | FC St. Pauli, Germany |
| Fran KARACIC | Brescia Calcio, Italy |
| Joel KING | Odense Boldklub, Denmark |
| Mathew LECKIE | Melbourne City FC, Australia |
| Awer MABIL | Uncontracted |
| Jamie MACLAREN | Melbourne City FC, Australia |
| Riley MCGREE | Middlesbrough FC, England |
| Aaron MOOY | Shanghai Port FC, China PR |
| Andrew REDMAYNE (Gk) | Sydney FC, Australia |
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| Kye ROWLES | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia |
| Mathew RYAN (Gk) | Real Sociedad, Spain |
| Trent SAINSBURY | Uncontracted |
| Gianni STENSNESS | Viking FK, Norway |
| Adam TAGGART | Cerezo Osaka, Japan |
| Marco TILIO | Melbourne City Australia |
| Danny VUKOVIC (GK) | NEC Nijmegan, Netherlands |
| Bailey WRIGHT | Sunderland AFC, England |
