Tony Popovic has opened the door for a Socceroos World Cup selection shock by including 17-year-old fullback James Overy in the squad for two crucial friendlies later this month.

The Manchester United youth player has trained with the first team at club level since returning from Australia’s campaign at the U-20 World Cup in Chile last month, reportedly impressing Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim.

The Socceroos head coach brought in the highly-touted right-back – who grew up in Perth but has also represented Scotland at youth level – as part of 11 changes to the squad selected for last month’s friendlies against the USA and Canada.

Australia will play Venezuela in Houston on 14 November before taking on Colombia in New York, as the side ramps up its preparations for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Although Popovic has cast his net wide, bringing in six other uncapped players including four from the A-League Men, the two matches carry extra importance for the Socceroos as they look to boost their world ranking and improve their chance of being placed in a more favourable group when the World Cup draw takes place on 5 December.

The uncapped domestic contingent...