Socceroos Training Mystery: Where is Mohamed Touré?

ALAMEDA, California — The Socceroos’ final preparations for Türkiye were hit by an unwelcome twist on Wednesday, as first-choice striker Mohamed Touré was nowhere to be seen once training properly got underway.

For the first 15 minutes at the Oakland Roots and Soul facility, everything looked routine. Cameras clicked, balls fizzed between cones, and Tony Popovic’s full 26-man squad appeared to be ticking through their drills. Then the media were moved on, the gates effectively closed — and the mystery began.

Touré, expected to spearhead Australia’s Group D campaign, had been there at the start. He arrived with his teammates, posed for the team photo, blended into the usual pre-session bustle. By the time the serious work started, though, he was absent.

Defender Jordan Bos admitted he was as surprised as anyone.

“No, I actually don't know,” Bos said when asked where Touré was. “It was actually during training where I noticed he wasn't in there, so I don't know why he wasn't.”

The Socceroos quickly tried to steady the narrative. Before Milos Degenek spoke to the media, a team spokesperson confirmed Touré is expected back on the training pitch on Thursday. No explanation, no detail on why he missed the bulk of Wednesday’s session. Just the promise of a return, and a training run that will now take place behind closed doors.

With Türkiye looming on Saturday, that silence invites questions the camp would rather avoid.

Touré, still only 22, has been widely tipped to lead the line throughout this campaign, his move to Norwich City and recent goal-scoring form sharpening the sense that this is his moment. His pace, his power, his ability to bully defenders — they have all been central to the way Popovic wants this side to attack.

“He's a big asset for us, he's been doing really well, and his new club, he's scoring goals and his power — everything about him — is great,” Bos said, underlining just how central Touré has become in a short space of time.

Take that focal point away and the picture changes quickly.

If Touré cannot go against Türkiye, the Socceroos are left with just one recognised fit striker: Tete Yengi. The 25-year-old is fresh, confident, and riding the high of an impressive international debut, having come off the bench to score Australia’s 56th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland in San Diego last Saturday. But he remains untested as a starting No. 9 at this level, especially in a tournament opener with real weight.

Popovic does have alternatives, though none as like-for-like as Touré.

Nestory Irankunda, electric on the wing against the Swiss, has previously been used centrally by Popovic and could be pushed inside if Australia chase more direct, vertical threat. His raw pace would stretch Türkiye, but it would also ask a teenager to shoulder a huge responsibility in an unfamiliar role from the first whistle.

Then there is Mathew Leckie, the veteran who has made a career out of filling gaps and solving problems. Listed as a winger, trusted as far more. Leckie has often been nudged into central areas for club and country, and his tactical intelligence makes him a natural safety valve for a coach juggling late selection headaches.

Popovic made that clear when he named his squad, calling Leckie a luxury because “he can play anywhere” and insisting his experience and maturity mean he can adapt to a role with minimal preparation — a video, a briefing, and he is ready.

That kind of versatility suddenly feels less like a bonus and more like a necessity.

For now, the official line is simple: Touré will be back on Thursday, and Australia will carry on as planned. But with the doors closed and the stakes rising, every minute he spends off the grass will be watched, weighed, and worried over.

The Socceroos have built their attacking blueprint around a powerful young striker in form. In a few days, against Türkiye, the world will see whether that blueprint holds — and whether Touré is there to lead it.