Football Australia has announced the formation of an U18 men’s national team to compete in the UEFA Friendship Cup during the June FIFA Men’s International Window. This marks another busy period for the men’s national team pathway, with all junior men’s teams already committed to international activity.
The U18 squad will face some of the world’s best teams, including Argentina, France, Japan, Portugal, Senegal, USA, and Uruguay. The UEFA Friendship Cup, now in its second year, will be played in a two-group format. Each team will play four matches—three group games and one crossover fixture based on final group standings.
Australia has been placed in Group A alongside Argentina, France, and the USA. The team traveling to Nyon will feature several potential Subway Young Socceroos for the next cycle, with the goal of developing future talent for the U20 program.
The U18 squad will be coached by Richard Garcia, the current Assistant Coach for the Subway Young Socceroos, who will focus on embedding key playing principles and standards that align with the U20 program.
This announcement coincides with preparations for the FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025, with additional eligible players active internationally.
Gary Moretti, Football Australia’s Head of National Teams, expressed his excitement about the opportunity. “The UEFA Friendship Cup aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy for the U20 age group. It’s a fantastic chance for these players to face international opposition in new conditions and strengthen their connection to the national team pathway,” Moretti said.
He also highlighted the importance of having multiple national teams active. “We’re proud to have all our men’s teams active and to introduce another team in this tournament. This volume of activity is invaluable for the players, staff, and our underage programs as a whole. We’re grateful to UEFA for this opportunity and look forward to seeing our U18s in action.”
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