Sydney FC Give Akol Akon Green Light for FIFA U-17 World Cup Selection

Sydney FC confirmed on Friday that rising talent Akol Akon would be released to represent Australia at next month’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, should he be selected.

Speculation had grown throughout the week that Sydney FC had blocked Akon’s potential involvement in the tournament, as the youngster continues to establish himself in the club’s A-League first team. The uncertainty came less than two months after Australia’s Under-20 side failed to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, a competition they had won just two years earlier.

As the tournament falls outside a designated FIFA international window and takes place during the domestic season, Sydney FC were under no obligation to release the teenager.

Earlier in the week, Football Australia executive director of football Heather Garriock expressed disappointment at the possibility of Akon missing out on the global competition.

“We’re disappointed for Akol that he won’t have that opportunity,” Garriock said.

“We understand the tournament falls during the A-League season and outside the FIFA international window. However, we believe the experience of a World Cup would have benefited not only Akol, but Sydney FC and Australian football more broadly.”

She also stressed the governing body’s commitment to supporting young Australian players.

“We’ll continue to work collaboratively with clubs to give our best young players every opportunity to represent their country.”

It now appears that Football Australia, Sydney FC and head coach Carl Veart have reached a compromise that benefits all parties. The five-time A-League champions confirmed their change of position on Friday morning, opening the door for Akon to pursue a potential place in Australia’s Under-17 World Cup squad.

Sydney FC executive vice-chairman Sebastian Gray said the club had always been committed to supporting its young players in their international ambitions.

“Our goal has always been to give our young players every opportunity to represent their country. As the biggest club in Australia, we see developing the next generation of Socceroos and Matildas as a responsibility to the national game, and one we take seriously,” Gray said.

“There are times, like this one, when we have to balance that with our own squad and our ambition to win trophies for Sydney FC. We’ve worked hard alongside Football Australia to find the right solution, and we’re delighted Akol will have this opportunity if selected.”

Gray also highlighted the strength of the club’s youth academy and its close relationship with the national governing body.

“Having seven of our young women at the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and hopefully several of our young men at the men’s tournament, shows the strength of our Academy and the partnership we have with Football Australia. We’ll keep working together on this.”

Australia are preparing for their 14th appearance at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, placing them fifth on the all-time list for tournament appearances alongside the competition’s most established nations. Only Mexico and Argentina, with 17 appearances each, and Brazil and the United States, with 20 apiece, have featured more often.

The Young Socceroos secured their place at the tournament after reaching the quarter-final stage of the previous AFC Under-17 Asian Cup.

Akon is expected to play a key role in Australia’s attacking plans after recently scoring alongside Western Sydney Wanderers striker Miguel Di Pizio in an Under-23 international friendly against South Korea.

The Sydney FC youngster could lead the forward line alongside Luke Becvinovski of Central Coast Mariners and Akeem Gerald of Melbourne City. Gerald has already made history, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the AFC Champions League at just 15 years old.