Manchester United Teen Earns Surprise Socceroos Call-Up Ahead of World Cup
James Overy, who turns 18 this weekend, has been a regular presence in Manchester United’s first-team training sessions under Ruben Amorim. The young defender is now set to take the next step in his career with a call-up to Australia’s senior national team.
Head coach Tony Popovic has announced a new-look 25-man squad for the Socceroos’ final matches of 2025, featuring 11 newcomers. Among them, Overy’s inclusion stands out as the biggest surprise.
“Tony Popovic has unveiled another squad full of surprises, handing teenage Manchester United prospect James Overy his first senior call-up for the Socceroos’ final matches of 2025.”
The Perth-born player was the youngest member of the Young Socceroos squad that recently competed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. Despite winning one of their three group-stage matches, the team failed to advance.
Overy joined Manchester United’s academy last year and has continued to impress Amorim, earning regular training opportunities with the first team, though he has yet to make an official senior appearance.
Upcoming Friendlies and World Cup Preparation
- Australia will face Venezuela and Colombia in the upcoming friendlies.
- These matches are part of the final evaluation window before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Author’s Summary: Rising defender James Overy receives a surprise Socceroos call-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup, marking a major step in his early football career.