Manchester United Teen Earns Surprise Socceroos Call-Up
James Overy, who turns 18 this weekend, has been regularly training with Manchester United’s first team under Ruben Amorim. The young defender is now set for his first senior international appearance.
Popovic’s Surprising Selection
Australia’s head coach Tony Popovic announced a 25-man roster filled with unexpected names for the final friendlies of 2025 against Venezuela and Colombia. His selection includes 11 new players, marking the last major test before next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“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.”
Overy’s Rapid Rise
Born in Perth, Overy was the youngest member of the Young Socceroos team that competed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where Australia won one of three group-stage matches. Since joining Manchester United’s academy last year, Overy has stood out enough to earn consistent invitations to first-team training, though he has yet to make a senior appearance.
Author’s summary: Teen defender James Overy’s rise from Manchester United’s academy to a surprise Socceroos call-up highlights Popovic’s bold approach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.