“Quite simple”: The Socceroos changes Bozza would make

Australian coach Tony Popovic must make some changes to his lineup for the third FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group D clash with Paraguay on Friday (12pm AEST).

That is the opinion of Mark Bosnich who has urged Popovic to revert to the opening 2-0 victory over Turkey by starting goal scorers Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.

That pair started on the bench against the USA last Saturday before both coming on in the second half and having an impact in the 2-0 defeat.

With a Round of 32 berth on the line, Bosnich reckons the Socceroos simply need to have their best scoring hopes, and possibly even Cristian Volpato, on the pitch from kick-off against the Paraguayans in Santa Clara.

“It’s quite simple,” said Bosnich on SEN’s Gloves Off.

“Number one I’d bring back Irankunda and I would say Connor Metcalfe. And I would somehow try to fit in Volpato. I know that will be difficult with the balance.

“We’re coming up against a team who don’t play too dissimilar to the way we play. A team that will be looking a little bit more to win than we, because we know a draw will guarantee us second place.

“Definitely Irankunda and Metcalfe, in my opinion, have got to start. I don’t think there should be any question about that.

“If Irankunda gasses out, like people have said, then take him off. Quite simple. But you start with your best players and he’s arguably our best player.”

If Volpato does start, Bosnich wants to see some running power underneath him so the Sassuolo man can focus on creativity and attacking play.

“In terms of the midfield, if they do go with Volpato then he will need people around him to do the running for him,” Bosnich added.

“You need two runners in behind him to let him do what he does with the ball which is an absolutely wonderful quality.

“I think the future is Volpato, Irankunda and Mo Toure. Those three up front would be absolutely outstanding.

“For this game it might be a game too soon to perhaps do that with Volpato but you might have to bring him on anyway because if we’re losing we don’t want to finish on three points.”

Former Socceroo Bosnich also believes there could be a defensive alteration with teenager Lucas Herrington potentially afforded a start over Cameron Burgess.

“Whether you want to bring in Herrington at the back, that’ll be a decision that’s a toss-up. I would lean towards perhaps yes.

“No disrespect to Burgess. It maybe needs a little bit of refreshing there. He did nothing wrong as well.”

Overall, Bozza is comfortable with the position the Socceroos find themselves in ahead of their final group stage match.

“The way things are going it’s looking like we’re going to have to get four points or if you end up with three points you need some goal difference,” he said.

“If we happen to lose the goal difference will go into the negative which could be an issue.

“I believe that we will qualify, I believed that at the start, and I believe they’ll be able to get the point.

“We’re in a really good position regardless of what happened in the USA game.”

A win over Paraguay would ensure the Socceroos finish with six points and second behind the US in Group D, a draw would have them on four points and also in second, while a loss would see them drop to third and their knockout spot would be dependent on other third-place results.

Click here for all the Socceroos calculations.

You can listen to Simon Hill and Andy Harper call Australia v Paraguay live from Santa Clara, California, from Friday at 10am AEST on SEN, the official radio broadcaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.