The crunch selection calls that Tony Popovic must make with Socceroos World Cup squad set to be unveiled

With the Socceroos opening World Cup group game against Türkiye fast approaching, Tony Popovic and his coaching staff have some big decisions to make ahead of announcing the final 26 player roster.

In a boost for Popovic and the Socceroos young midfielder Christian Volpato has switched his allegiance from Italy to Australia with the 22-year-old looking to be a part of Popovic's World Cup plans. 

Volpato who has represented the Azzurri at under -19, -20 and -21 level has scored two goals alongside four assists for club team Sassuolo this season.

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His undoubted quality has provided much needed good news for a Socceroos midfield which was rocked by a hamstring injury to Riley McGree. 

Speaking ahead of their World Cup warm up game against Mexico, Popovic reiterated the importance of having a versatile and balanced squad. 

"We need to make a good decision based on versatility and also the player that's a specialist in his role- to see the balance is right."

Defensively the returning Harry Souttar is pushing to make the final cut after his recent return from a ruptured achilles as he looks to prove his fitness.

The physically imposing defender would usually be a lock for the squad, but his injury disrupted year will have him needing to perform against Mexico to seal his spot. 

Further up the park the Socceroos midfield combination remains a question as young Sydney FC star Paul Okon-Engstler has firmly put himself in the picture after a standout year in the A-League.

A technically gifted midfielder with an ability to cover box-to-box has given Popovic an interesting proposition when looking at his midfield options.

Cameron Devlin fresh off a heartbreaking finish with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership where they lost the title to Celtic on the final day is another name which is going to be hard to ignore for Popovic.

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Despite previously never playing under Popovic with his last international cap coming almost three years ago, his energetic performances for Hearts this season has forced his name to come into the reckoning.

How Popovic shapes his midfield may depend on his decisions when it comes to the Socceroos front third.

The sensational inclusion of Matthew Leckie for the pre-training camp has the 35-year-old once again in the picture to potentially head to his 4th World Cup Finals. 

The experience that Leckie can provide around the squad will be a key consideration along with his overall physical fitness after an injury riddled season with Melbourne City. 

Along with Leckie forgotten 2022 World Cup qualifying hero Awer Mabil is also making a late run to be part of Popovic's plans.

After an 18-month absence from the national team he returned for the March friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao after playing 31 times for Castellon in the Spanish second division this season.

Mabil's versatility and ability to play on either flank or through the middle will be looked upon favourably by Popovic and his coaching staff.

Popovic has some tough decisions to make but will be confident in the final 26 which do make the squad that they will be able to go and once again shock the world as they did four years ago.

The Socceroos play Sunday midday (AEST) in a friendly against Mexico.