Socceroos: Five players to watch in the World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine

A new World Cup qualifying cycle is starting for the Socceroos with a host of players set to break out ahead of the 2026 tournament in USA, Mexico and Canada.

The green and gold will start their road to the World Cup with qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine, with Lebanon the other team in the group.

Which players should we keep an eye on as Australia attempts to qualify for its sixth successive World Cup?

MORE: When do the Socceroos play next? Australia squad, full schedule, World Cup qualifiers, Asian Cup matches

Craig Goodwin (Al Wahda)

Goodwin is not exactly a young talent at 31 years old but the flying attacker is ready to be a leader for his national team during this World Cup qualifying campaign.

Among some of the best players in the world in the Saudi Pro League, Goodwin has five goals in eight matches for Al Wehda playing in attacking roles centrally and on the right.

Last season's Johnny Warren Medallist at Adelaide United has always been a great player but he has taken his game to the next level after hitting the wrong side of 30.

Expect Goodwin to be a regular starter and spearhead the Socceroos' World Cup qualifying campaign.

The only question is whether he will be around for the World Cup main event, which will come six months after he hits 34.

.@craig_goodwin11 on target for the second straight game, opening the scoring in Al Wehda’s 4-0 win over Abha in the Saudi Pro League ⚽️🇸🇦#Socceroos #AussiesAbroad

pic.twitter.com/oVVN5iA4Ws

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 22, 2023

Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth)

Made in the A-League at Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers, Yengi is a powerful forward who can play through the middle and on the wing.

The 24-year-old had five goals and two assists in nine matches for League One club Portsmouth - alongside fellow Socceroo talent Alexander Robertson.

With Jamie Maclaren and Mitch Duke both the wrong side of 30, Graham Arnold is searching for the next generation of attacking talent to take the nation forward.

And Yengi certainly doesn't lack confidence as evidenced by this celebration in front of Melbourne Victory's fans in 2021.

Adelaide United’s Kusini Yengi scored against Melbourne Victory and then did Conor McGregor’s billionaire strut in front of their fans 🤭pic.twitter.com/eHympMMo6t

— GOAL (@goal) March 13, 2021

Jordy Bos (Westerlo)

There is a feeling that Bos is a player destined for Europe's top leagues with his abilities and career trajectory.

The left-back made his debut for Melbourne City during the 2021-22 campaign but became an elite player last season for the A-League Premiers at only 20 years old.

Bos scored two goals and nabbed five assists, showing his ability to attack relentlessly but also be a class defender.

He is now starting left-back for Belgian top division outfit Westerlo, and interestingly nabbed his first assist recently playing as a left midfielder.

There is no doubt the 21-year-old is going to a fixture for the Socceroos over the next decade.

Last time we faced Central Coast, Jordy Bos did this 🔥

👀 Can't wait to see what he has in store for his last City appearance in Saturday's Grand Final! pic.twitter.com/sluWovorzB

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) May 31, 2023

Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough)

Two years ago, Silvera couldn't get a start for Newcastle Jets in the A-League, scoring only one goal and making 14 of his 9 appearances off the bench.

Now after a breakout season with champions Central Coast last season, the 23-year-old is making waves at Championship club Middlesbrough.

Alongside Socceroo team-mate Riley McGree, Silvera has made 6 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and creating two assists.

Able to play on the left and right wings, Australia has found another long-term wide option in the London-born attacker.

Top goal from Sam Silvera (2000) for Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town. He’s a really good finisher - his ability to score half-chances made him stand out for the Mariners. Good to see him doing well.

pic.twitter.com/oXxdaNtL7M

— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) August 9, 2023

Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town)

A late blooming central defender, Burgess has been a rock at the heart of Ipswich Town's defence, with the Championship side equal top alongside Leicester City and looking like one of the favourites for promotion.

Now 28 years old and hitting his peak, Burgess originally came through Fulham's academy as a teenager, before developing in England's lower leagues with the likes of Scunthorpe United, Salford City and Accrington Stanley before joining Ipswich in 2021, while they were in League One.

The 194cm defender helped Ipswich to promotion from League One last season, and now they are eight points clear in the automatic promotion positions under former Manchester United assistant Kieran McKenna.

Socceroos 23-man squad vs. Bangladesh and Palestine

Socceroos World Cup qualifiers schedule

In November, the Socceroos will begin the long process of attempting to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

In the second round of AFC World Cup qualifying, the Socceroos will play in a round-robin format against Lebanon, Palestine and either Maldives or Bangladesh, with the top two teams qualifying for the third round of qualification, as well as qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup.

The qualification campaign will see two games played at the end of 2023, with the rest of the matches in the second round set to begin in March after the 2024 Asian Cup.