Van Marwijk names six new faces in preliminary squad

Caltex Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk has named six new faces in his preliminary 32-man squad in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

With all 26 players from the Caltex Socceroos squad that faced Norway and Colombia in March included, Van Marwijk has also found room for Hyundai A-League youngster Daniel Arzani after his impressive breakout season for Melbourne City.

Another first time call up is Fran Karacic, a 21-year-old right back who has been a regular starter for Lokomotiva Zagreb in the Croatian 1st Division.

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Van Marwijk has also handed Caltex Socceroos recalls to Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Langerak, Alex Gersbach and Apostolos Giannou.

“I am not a person who changes all the time and we thought for a long time about the first squad that we selected,” said van Marwijk on his 32-man squad.

“I had a good experience with the 26 players in the ten days that I worked with them, so I had no reason not to nominate them again. But we have since seen other players so there will be a few new names in the squad.”

The 32-man squad will be whittled down to 26 next week before the team travels to Turkey for a 20-day training camp.

The Caltex Socceroos will then play pre-World Cup friendlies against Czech Republic and Hungary prior to travelling to Kazan in final preparations for the first Group Stage match against France.

Caltex Socceroos pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Friendlies:



Caltex Socceroos v Czech Republic

Date: Friday, 1 June 2018 (local time)

Venue: NV Arena, St. Polten, Austria

Kick-off: TBC

Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network Ten



Hungary v Caltex Socceroos

Date: Saturday, 9 June 2018 (local time)

Venue: Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary

Kick-off: 5.30pm local (1.30am AEST – Sunday, 10 June 2018)

Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network Ten



Caltex Socceroos 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Group C Matches:



France v Caltex Socceroos

Date: Saturday, 16 June 2018

Venue: Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia

Kick-off: 1pm local (8pm AEST – Saturday, 16 June 2018)

Broadcast: Live in Australia on SBS and Optus Sport



Denmark v Caltex Socceroos

Date: Thursday, 21 June 2018

Venue: Samara Arena, Samara, Russia

Kick-off: 4pm local (10pm AEST – Thursday, 21 June 2018)

Broadcast: Live in Australia on SBS and Optus Sport



Caltex Socceroos v Peru

Date: Tuesday, 26 June 2018

Venue: Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia

Kick-off: 5pm local (12pm AEST – Wednesday 27 June 2018)

Broadcast: Live in Australia on SBS and Optus Sport