FILE PHOTO: Australia's Mathew Ryan has accumulated over 100 caps but was not preferred for the World Cup opener. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Australia left out goalkeeper Mathew Ryan from its starting line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash against Turkiye at the BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

The 34-year-old keeper was left on the bench for the encounter with Patrick Beach preferred in his position.

Ryan had been a regular between the posts for Australia over the years and had accumulated 104 caps to date. Beach, on the other hand, played only one game for the Socceroos before the World Cup.

The 22-year-old keeper came through the academy at Central Coast Mariners before making the move to Melbourne City where he has made 53 appearances so far.

Ryan, now 34, spent the last year at Levante in La Liga and had spells at Brighton and Hove Albion, Arsenal and Real Sociedad earlier.

Published on Jun 14, 2026