Will Karatasos named in Australia U-15 World Cup team

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Will Karatasos has been named in Australia’s inaugural 14-player U-15 National Select squad for the first FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan.

Football Australia published the list on 23 September 2026. The delegation is due in Baku from 22 to 31 October. Matches run from 24 to 30 October. Eligible players were born in 2011 or 2012.

Wanderers midfielder William Karatasos is set to represent Australia at the inaugural tournament. He is currently signed with the A-League academy at Western Sydney Wanderers and has played for the club across various age groups this season.

Will Karatasos and the Wanderers academy

Will Karatasos plays as a midfielder in the Western Sydney Wanderers under-15 program. In May 2024, he was selected for the club’s under-14 squad to compete in the Bayreuth Cup in Germany, and later for the Liam Brady Cup, an under-16 international youth tournament, in May 2026.

Football NSW later named him in its Under-15 Metro Sky squad for the 2026 Emerging Socceroos Championships in Sydney. According to that list, he was in the same metro group as Ayman Abdulrahman and Jacob Sousa, who now join him in the national 14.

The Wanderers midfielder is one of two Western Sydney Wanderers academy players selected. Defender Ayman Abdulrahman is the other.

First FIFA U-15 World Cup format

FIFA opened the new boys’ event to all 211 member associations after a Council decision in December 2025. One hundred and ninety-one teams entered. FIFA plans a girls’ edition for 2027. Separate boys’ and girls’ tournaments are planned from 2028.

Games are 8v8 on reduced pitches with full-size goals. Each half lasts 20 minutes. Rolling substitutions are allowed. Teams play four or five qualification matches, then a second stage in performance tiers. FIFA has scheduled almost 1,000 matches across six days at the Hovsan Competition Complex. Tier finals are set for Baku Crystal Hall.

Australia is in Group AF with Andorra, hosts Azerbaijan, Haiti, Israel and Timor-Leste. Azerbaijan is listed to play Australia on 25 October.

Australia U-15 National Select squad

Players were drawn from all nine Football Australia member federations. Lead coach Richie Alagich, a former Adelaide United player, heads the staff. Michael Cooper, incoming Pathways Talent Identification Lead, said the camp gives players an early national-team setting and contact with different styles of play.

Alagich said the focus is technical quality, decision-making and adaptability. He added that the trip will be judged on development, confidence and experience, as well as results.

The squad is: Ayman Abdulrahman (Western Sydney Wanderers), Austen Bettess (Melbourne City), Ater Berchilay (O’Connor Knights), Dhilan Calleja (Melbourne City), Raman Dalaf (North Coast Football), Ryder Dalton (Football SA), Oscar Dykes (Clarence City Zebras), Codey Huston (Football Queensland), Will Karatasos (Western Sydney Wanderers), Nathan Kirby (Brisbane Roar), Jet Matassa (Perth Glory), Mark O’Connor (Darwin Olympic), Jacob Sousa (Sydney FC) and Harlan Strugnell (Brisbane Roar).

Staff named with Alagich are Ryan Doidge, Christopher Gurr, Dale Hill, Kate Ritchie and Joe Tamer.

Will Karatasos on representing Australia

Will Karatasos now enters Australia’s first side at a FIFA U-15 World Cup. Following camp, the Australia U-15 team travels to Baku in October. After arriving on 22 October, the group faces a qualification stage from 24 to 26 October, then a rest day, then a tier stage through 30 October.

In a statement to Greek City Times, William Karatasos says

I am proud to represent Australia and my Greek heritage on the international stage.

Photos: Australia Football Facebook

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