Australian footballer of Sri Lankan heritage Nishan Velupillay has been named in Australia’s final 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for a player with Sri Lankan roots on football’s biggest stage.
The 24-year-old winger, who plays for Melbourne Victory, was included in the squad announced by Socceroos coach Tony Popovic ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Born in Melbourne, Velupillay’s father is Malaysian with Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, while his mother is Anglo-Indian. The attacker has emerged as one of Australia’s brightest young talents, having scored on his international debut against China in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier and played a key role during Australia’s qualification campaign.
Velupillay is among a new generation of Australian players selected for the World Cup, with the squad featuring 17 tournament debutants. His inclusion has been widely welcomed by Sri Lankan and Tamil communities around the world, who view his achievement as a source of pride and inspiration for young athletes from migrant backgrounds.
Australia will begin its FIFA World Cup campaign later this month, with Velupillay expected to be part of the Socceroos’ attacking options during the tournament. (Newswire)