Patrick yazbek

The AFC Asian Qualifiers: Massimo Luongo’s comeback from international retirement has been shelved after the midfielder was ruled out of Australia's squad for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan due to an ankle injury.

Last week, Luongo, who plays for Ipswich Town FC in Premier League, came out of international retirement to join Tony Popovic's extended 26-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Additionally, another midfielder, Connor Metcalfe, who didn’t play for St. Pauli in the Bundesliga club’s 3-0 loss to Mainz on Sunday morning, was also ruled out of the squad with a leg injury.