Football Australia has been required to make two changes to its selected 20-player squad for the UEFA Friendship Cup 2025, to be held in Nyon, Switzerland from 30 May – 11 June.
Daniel Graskoski (Melbourne Victory FC) and Lachlan Charles (Melbourne City FC) have been required to stay in Australia and support their respective teams’ Isuzu UTE A-League Men Grand Final preparations, and due to Australia’s match schedule would not be able to participate in the tournament.
Jai Ajanovic (Central Coast Mariners FC) has been called in from Trevor Morgan’s U20 squad playing in South America, alongside Leonardo Fanari (Cagliari Calcio) and Sonny Inzalaco (Perth RedStar FC).
The UEFA Friendship Cup – now in its second year – aims to bring together talented young players from all corners of the globe to form connections across communities, while gaining experience in international football.
With all national teams committed to activity in the June Men’s FIFA International Window, Football Australia has opted to commence the new cycle of the U20s program to face the likes of Argentina, France, Japan, Portugal, Senegal, USA and Uruguay.
The UEFA Friendship Cup offers the 2027 U20 group early exposure to a national team environment, as well as invaluable international minutes in conditions and against opposition that will lay a strong foundation for the 2027 U20 FIFA World Cup cycle.
The tournament will be conducted in a two-group format with all participating teams guaranteed four matches, which include three Group games, and a crossover fixture based on the final Group standings.
Australia have been drawn into Group A alongside Argentina, France and the USA.
The squad will be led by current Subway Young Socceroos Assistant Coach, Richard Garcia, with a view to embedding the standards and playing principles the squad can expect to find in the U20 program.
All matches at the UEFA Friendship Cup 2025 will be streamed live on UEFA’s YouTube channel and on UEFA TV.
AUSTRALIA U18s SQUAD | UEFA FRIENDSHIP CUP 2025 | 30 MAY – 11 JUNE 2025
| Name | Position | Current Club | Junior Club/Member Federation/Country |
| Jai AJANOVIC | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Gymea United FC / Football NSW |
| Max ANASTASIO | Midfielder | Venezia FC, Italy | Marconi Stallions FC / Football NSW |
| Rylan BROWNLIE | Forward | Crystal Palace FC, England | Moreton City Excelsior FC / Football QLD |
| Harry CRAWFORD | Forward | Adelaide United FC, Australia | Elizabeth Vale SC / Football SA |
| Arthur DE LIMA | Forward | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Brisbane City FC / Football QLD |
| Haine EAMES | Midfielder | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Camden Haven Redbacks FC / NNSW Football |
| Leonardo FANARI | Defender | Cagliari Calcio, Italy | Perth Red Star FC / Football West |
| Alexander GARBOWSKI | Defender | BK Hacken, Sweden | Subiaco FC / Football West |
| Alessio GENOVA | Midfielder | Cittadella FC | Mongo FC / Football NSW |
| Lucas HERRINGTON | Defender
| Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Toowong FC / Football QLD |
| Sonny INZALACO | Goalkeeper | Perth RedStar FC, Australia | Perth RedStar FC / Football West |
| Dylan LEONARD | Defender | Western United FC, Australia | Middle Park FC / Football VIC |
| Jetzen LOPEZ | Midfielder | S.C. Braga | Marconi Stallions FC / Football NSW |
| Quinn MACNICOL | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Rochedale Rovers FC / Football QLD |
| Medin MEMETI | Forward | Melbourne City FC, Australia | Dandenong Thunder FC / Football VIC |
| Marcus NEILL | Forward | Sunderland AFC, England | Langho Juniors FC / England |
| Richard NKOMO | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia | South West Wanderers FC / Football NSW |
| James OVERY | Defender | Manchester United FC, England | Joondalup City FC / Football West |
| Xavier SMITH | Defender | Crewe Alexandria FC, England | MSC Eastham / England |
| Tyler WILLIAMS | Defender | Sydney FC, Australia | Castle Hill United FC Football NSW |
| Lawrence WONG | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC, Australia | Manningham FC / Football VIC |
AUSTRALIA U18s MATCH SCHEDULE | UEFA FRIENDSHIP CUP 2025 | 30 MAY – 11 JUNE 2025
Australia U18s v Argentina U18s
Sunday, 1 June 2025
Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon
Kick-off: 10.30am local / 6.30pm AEST
France U18s v Australia U18s
Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon
Kick-off: 3.30pm local / 11.30pm AEST
Australia U18s v United States U18s
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon
Kick-off: 11.00am local / 7.00pm AEST
Australia U18s v TBC
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon
Kick-off: TBC