Martin Boyle, who was sidelined by a knee injury during the 2022 World Cup, is training with Australia’s national team as he aims to make the squad for the 2026 tournament in North America. Boyle did not play in Qatar after suffering a torn meniscus and undergoing full knee reconstruction just before the 2022 event halted his campaign [1, 2].
Despite his injury, Australia coach Graham Arnold included Boyle in the Qatar squad as the team’s “Official Vibes Manager” to boost morale while Australia reached the last 16 [1, 2]. Boyle said, “Although it ended badly for me, I fully enjoyed it. I got the taste of what it was like. I got to experience it firsthand and what the lads were going through. And yeah, obviously I contributed off the pitch, but fingers crossed this time round I can contribute on the pitch” [1].
Boyle, 33 as of May 2026, has made 41 appearances and scored 10 goals for Australia since switching allegiance from Scotland after the 2018 World Cup. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, he played for Scotland at junior levels before representing Australia through his Sydney-born father [1, 2].
He is competing for a spot in Australia’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, where the team will face Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay in the group stage [1, 2]. Boyle trains at the Australian camp in Sarasota, Florida, supported by his family. He said, “My kids are telling me every morning, you know, they want to come on holiday. Not to watch me, but they want to come on holiday. But I think having the full family out here to watch it would be spectacular. And obviously to give back to everyone that's believed in me would be a really special feeling” [1].
Boyle’s Hibernian teammate Ante Suto is also training with the squad, hoping to make his World Cup debut [1, 2]. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19 across North America, with Australia preparing to compete in the upcoming months [1, 2].