Pair of NYCFC players suiting up for Australia in World Cup

A pair of New York City FC players are headed to the World Cup to represent Australia when the tournament kicks off later this month. 

Midfielder Aiden O’Neill and defender Kai Trewin were selected as part of Australia’s 26-man roster that was announced two weeks out from their World Cup opener against Türkiye on June 14 in Vancouver. 

O’Neill had 30 caps for the Socceroos before he was named to the final roster. Trewin has made five appearances for the Australians since earning his first senior call-up for the World Cup qualifiers.

“It’s always been a big dream of mine and a big goal,” O’Neill said in a team-produced video. “To represent your country on the biggest stage is something that I definitely don’t take for granted. It means a lot to myself and my friends and family.” 

Neither player was a member of the 2022 World Cup squad for Australia. 

“There’s so many special memories that the Socceroos have given to me when I was a little boy and that’s some of the reasons why I wanted to be a Socceroo so bad one day,” Trewin said. “I would say the memories that they’ve given me over time has given me a push to want to go to the World Cup and try and create a memory myself.” 

There had been some questions regarding O’Neill’s health after he had to come out of NYCFC’s May 3 game against D.C. United due to an ankle injury. 

He did appear in 67 minutes during a friendly over the weekend against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. 

O’Neill is in his second season with NYCFC, while Trewin was brought over this past offseason. 

The two will see fellow NYCFC teammate Matt Freese in one of Australia’s first matches of the World Cup when they take on the United States on June 19 in the group stage.