SOCCER: Yengi wants to show what he can do at World Cup after shock Australia call-up

Uncapped striker Tete Yengi has not played soccer in Australia for five years, but he is looking forward to showing his compatriots what he can do after earning a surprise call-up to the Socceroos squad for the World Cup.

The tall target man has played in England, Finland, Scotland, and Japan since leaving Australia in 2021. On Monday, he was still pinching himself after getting a shot at representing his country on the biggest stage in the sport.

"It's crazy, I don't know if it's really sunk in yet," the 25-year-old told reporters at Australia's tournament base in Oakland. "There are so many great players that have played for this country, some of my idols, so I'm just grateful for the opportunity. It's amazing that my first call-up has come at a World Cup. Hopefully, I can get on the field and show what I can do."

A Bitter-Sweet Family Milestone

Only a few months ago, suggestions that a Yengi would make Tony Popovic's World Cup roster would have led most to anticipate a call-up for his older brother, Kusini.

The older Yengi has earned 11 caps since his debut in 2023. However, a hip injury sustained during training in March while playing in Japan for Cerezo Osaka effectively dashed his chances of a maiden World Cup campaign.

"He's just really happy for me—it's everyone's dream to come to the World Cup," Yengi said. "Unfortunately, he couldn't be here due to his injuries. I would have liked to be here with him. Maybe the next one. Let's see."

Home Team Chemistry on the Global Stage

Although he is without his brother in the squad, Yengi has the next best thing in fellow strikers Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda—childhood friends he grew up with in Adelaide.

"We're very close; we speak almost every day," Yengi said. "We're just going to enjoy the moment every day in training, and hopefully, we can maybe be on the field together. That'll be an amazing moment."

Yengi recently played for Machida Zelvia in the Asian Champions League final in April, where the Japanese club fell 1–0 to Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in extra time in front of 59,000 fans in Jeddah.

His most notable contribution to the final was likely being the recipient of a headbutt that resulted in Zakaria Hawsawi being sent off. The much shorter Saudi left back had to leap into the air just to land the blow on Yengi's chin.

"It was a crazy game," said Yengi, who stands 6 feet 6 inches (1.97 meters) tall. "The atmosphere was ridiculous. I haven't seen anything like that before. Hopefully, the games here will be a bit like that."

Australia opens its World Cup campaign against Turkey on June 13 in San Diego. -Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters