Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Tete Yengi has completed one of Australian football’s most unexpected rises after earning selection in the Socceroos squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup before making his senior international debut. The 25 year old striker was included in Tony Popovic’s 26 player squad after impressing during a rapid rise that has taken him from lower league football to the world’s biggest tournament.
Yengi only joined Australia’s pre tournament training camp on May 26 but quickly convinced selectors he could offer something different.
His inclusion represents one of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement.
“I believe Tete probably sums up the whole process since we’ve started in giving players an opportunity and not closing the door on anyone,” Popovic said.
Younger brother emerges after Kusini setbacks
For years, older brother Kusini Yengi appeared the more likely long term Socceroos striker.
The 27 year old forward has already earned 11 international appearances and previously looked capable of establishing himself as Australia’s first choice number nine.
Kusini last appeared for Australia in November 2024 when he scored twice against Bahrain.
However, injuries and inconsistent club opportunities disrupted his progress.
Meanwhile, Tete followed a different path.
After a short period with Newcastle Jets, his career included stops across Finland, League One, League Two and Scottish football before opportunities finally accelerated.
His development gathered momentum after joining Japanese club Machida Zelvia on loan earlier this year.
The move proved important.
Yengi contributed to the club’s run to the Asian Champions League Elite final while also gaining regular minutes domestically.
Popovic tracked Yengi progress closely
Popovic explained that Yengi’s rise was not as sudden as many may think.
The Socceroos coach revealed he had monitored the striker for months before eventually watching him personally.
“I saw some games online of him playing in Scotland and we saw him, we were monitoring him, we wrote some notes on him,” Popovic said.
“Then he moved to Japan and we saw he was playing well, playing regularly for a very good club.”
The national team coach later travelled to assess him firsthand.
“Then I went to watch him personally, watch him play a game and he’s just stayed on our mind.”
According to Popovic, Yengi’s physical profile became one of the decisive factors.
“It’s very different to anything that we have here in terms of his size and presence on the pitch.”
South Australian connection grows inside squad
Yengi joins fellow South Australians Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda in Australia’s World Cup squad.
The selection continues a remarkable rise for a player who only months earlier remained outside most international discussions.
Popovic admitted informing players of their selection remains one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.
“I’ll always remember seeing their faces today,” Popovic said.
“Having been fortunate to be there myself, it was a real honour to tell them today.”
World Cup dream becomes reality
Yengi now faces the possibility of making both his international debut and World Cup debut during the same tournament.
Australia enters the competition with a squad combining experienced leaders and emerging talent.
For Yengi, the selection completes a journey few expected.
From lower division football and overseas moves to the global stage, the striker now has the opportunity to become one of the tournament’s unexpected stories.