There had been mounting speculation during the week that Sydney FC had vetoed the World Cup selection of a player who is becoming increasingly integral to their A-League first team setup, less than two months after Australia’s under-20s team failed to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup – a tournament they had won just two years ago.
With the tournament falling outside an international window, Sydney FC had no obligations to release Akon for the tournament.
“We’re disappointed for Akol that he won’t have that opportunity,” FA executive director of football Heather Garriock said earlier in the week
“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.
“We’ll continue to work collaboratively with clubs to give our best young players every opportunity to represent their country.”
It appears that the FA, Sydney FC and team head coach Carl Veart have indeed worked collaboratively to come up with a mutually beneficial outcome, with the five-time A-League champions confirming their about face on Friday morning.
Sydney FC Executive Vice Chairman Sebastian Gray said in a statement that the club’s 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.
“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.
“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 set to make their 14th appearance at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup – fifth only to powerhouses Mexico (17), Argentina (17), Brazil (20) and the USA (20) for most at the tournament – after finishing in the final eight of the previous Under-17 Asian Cup.
Akon, who had scored alongside Western Sydney Wanderers striker Miguel Di Pizio for Australia’s Under-23s team in a recent friendly against South Korea, is likely to spearhead the team’s front third with Central Coast’s Luke Becvinovski and Melbourne City’s Akeem Gerald, who at the age of 15 became the youngest AFC Champions League player in history.
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