Socceroos Veteran Mitch Duke Sets World Cup as Final Goal Before International Retirement
Socceroos stalwart Mitch Duke has declared his intention to retire from international football after the upcoming World Cup, regardless of whether he secures a place in Tony Popovic's final squad. The 35-year-old forward, who earned his 50th cap in October 2025 during friendlies against Canada and the United States, views this tournament as his last opportunity to represent Australia on the global stage.
Duke's Journey and Recent Form
Duke, a key figure in Australia's qualification for their sixth consecutive World Cup finals after scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Japan, has been absent from recent national team activities. He missed the Socceroos' send-off friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao, where he was formally presented with cap number 559 from the stands. However, he responded emphatically by scoring a double and providing an assist in Macarthur's 3-2 win over A-League Men leaders Newcastle, demonstrating his ongoing value and fitness.
Competition and Mindset
With the Socceroos set to reconvene in May for a match against Mexico, Duke acknowledges the need to maintain his form across Macarthur's final three regular-season games. He faces stiff competition from emerging talents such as Mohamed Toure, the young Norwich City striker returning from a groin injury, and explosive winger Nestory Irankunda, who impressed with a five-minute double in Australia's 5-1 win over Curacao. Duke embraces this challenge, stating, "I love that I'm finally getting pushed out to the side, even though they're my competition. I can still keep up. I can still give these young ones a run for their money." He aims to push Toure and others while fighting for the striker spot, highlighting their different playing styles as a source of mutual motivation.
Personal Preparation and Reflections
Duke attributes his peak physical condition to recent changes in diet, including reducing sugar and caffeine intake, and adjusted training regimes. He expresses confidence in Popovic's belief in his abilities, noting, "I know that he still has that belief in me and knows that I can do a job still at that level. He will give me a chance if no one else is outperforming me." Reflecting on his career, Duke emphasizes his desire to "not die wondering" and sees a World Cup swansong as the perfect conclusion, even with an Asian Cup on the horizon. He stated, "This is my last chance. I'm going to retire from the national team after this World Cup tournament, because it's time to finally open up space for the next generation." With 13 goals for Australia, he aims to look back with pride, regardless of the selection outcome.
