Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has been named in Tony Popovic’s his first Socceroos squad for the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 against China PR and Japan.

The October FIFA Men’s International Window will be Popovic’s first in charge of the senior men’s national team, assuming the role just 12 days ago.

Australia take on China PR at Adelaide Oval on Thursday October 10 (kick-off 7:30pm local/8pm AEDT) and Japan at Saitama Stadium 2002, in Tokyo on Tuesday October 15 (7.35pm local/9.35pm AEDT).

Stamatelopoulos joins a strong South Australian contingent with the likes of Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa), Craig Goodwin (Al Wehda FC), Nestory Irankunda (FC Bayern Munich), Paul Izzo (Randers FC) and Riley McGree (Middlesbrough FC).

The Greek Australian and others will be eager at the prospect of a return to their home state for the first match.

The 25-year-old joined Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in August, after leaving the A-League and Newcastle Jets.

He has played three games in the Scottish Premiership so far and a single match in the Sottish League Cup, after a poor start at his new club where he suffered a hamstring injury in his first start.

But he is now back up and firing.

Popovic said he was looking forward to working with the squad on their arrival in Adelaide.

“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey, and it’s an honour to lead this group of players,” Popovic said in a Socceroos announcement.

“I’m eager to welcome both the players and new staff into camp as we come together for the first time. This October window offers a great opportunity to showcase a vast improvement, both in our desire and in the quality of our play.

“This time in camp will be crucial as we lay the foundations that will not only help us succeed in this window but set the tone for our future ambitions.”

Scheduled to be played until June 2025, the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 will feature three groups of six teams playing in a home-and-away, round-robin format, offering direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the top two finishers of each group.

The match against China PR will be broadcast on 10, 10 Play and Paramount+ while the Japan clash will be on Paramount+.