Sydney FC players Akol Akon and Dionn Nigro have been named in the CommBank Joeys squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™, with the pair set to represent Australia on the world stage next month.
Head Coach Carl Veart has selected a 21-player squad for the tournament, which will run from 19 November to 13 December, marking Australia’s return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time since 2019.
Akon, an attacker who has already made his A-League Men debut for the Sky Blues, and midfielder Nigro will be among the country’s most promising young talents competing against the world’s best in Qatar.
The selection is another proud milestone for Sydney FC, which continues to develop young players and provide pathways to senior football and international representation.
World Cup Challenge Awaits
Australia secured qualification for the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, highlighted by a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Vietnam.
The Joeys have been drawn in Group C alongside Argentina, Denmark and Mozambique, with all three group-stage matches to be played at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan.
The tournament presents a valuable opportunity for Akon and Nigro to test themselves against international opposition and gain experience at the highest level of age-group football.
Joeys FIFA U-17 World Cup Fixtures
Argentina U17 v Australia U17
Friday 20 November (AEDT) – 3:00am
Denmark U17 v Australia U17
Sunday 22 November – 11:30pm AEDT
Australia U17 v Mozambique U17
Thursday 26 November (AEDT) – 2:30am
The tournament runs from 19 November to 13 December 2026.
Sydney FC congratulates Akol and Dionn on their selection and wishes both players the very best as they prepare to represent Australia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
