Australia confirm squad for Qatar 2022

Newcastle United-bound teenager Garang Kuol was included Tuesday in Australia's squad for the World Cup this month, but midfielder Tom Rogic missed out.

Japan-based striker Adam Taggart, who has scored six goals in 16 Socceroos appearances, was another surprise omission despite being a stalwart of their qualifying campaign.

That opened the door for former Scotland international Jason Cummings, who has dual nationality, to add to his single Australian cap.

Central Coast Mariners forward Kuol, who will make the switch to the Premier League in January, made his international debut against New Zealand in September.

Kuol only turned 18 in mid-September and was the youngest Socceroo since Harry Kewell in 1996.

But he has yet to start a game for his A-League side and Australia coach Graham Arnold is likely to use him as an impact player off the bench.

"An 18-year-old kid who has come out of nowhere and is on a new journey in life," said Arnold.

"We've seen these types of things happen many times at World Cups and massive games where players who are unknown come out and shock the whole of the country.

"And Garang has shown at the Mariners how he can really change a game.

"I brought him into camp against New Zealand and he really fit into the Socceroos family so well, and really a player that has zero fear," he added.

Former Celtic star Rogic withdrew just before Australia's crunch World Cup qualifiers in May, citing personal reasons, and has since struggled to make an impact at new club West Bromwich Albion.

Arnold said Rogic, who has been capped 53 times, had been "brilliant" for Australian football, but he had to select in-form players with Italy-based Ajdin Hrustic and Middlesbrough's Riley McGree preferred.

"We need players that are fit