Jackson Irvine endured a difficult season marked by recurring foot injuries, off-field controversy and a losing fight to keep St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, but remains a member of Australia’s World Cup group. Irvine told ESPN the year had been the ‘most challenging’ of his career and that he was ‘grateful’ to be back on the world stage.
Coach Tony Popovic included Irvine among his 26-player squad and identified the midfielder as a key leader. Popovic is expected to start Irvine in midfield alongside either New York City FC’s Aiden O’Neill or Sydney FC’s Paul Okon Jr.
Irvine comes to this tournament with previous World Cup experience. He appeared off the bench at Russia 2018 and then started all four of Australia’s matches at the 2022 World Cup under Graham Arnold, including the round-of-16 game in which the Socceroos nearly pushed eventual champions Argentina to extra time.
Foot problems traced to the 2024-25 season limited Irvine’s availability as St. Pauli tried to avoid relegation. A recurrence of a stress reaction in his foot prompted the club to say he would be out ‘until further notice,’ though he ultimately missed only two matches. Popovic said his concerns over Irvine’s availability eased once the veteran began putting together a consistent run of games while managing the injury.
Irvine also faced public backlash after expressing solidarity with Palestinians, following a June 2025 photo of him wearing an FC Palestina shirt at a music festival; the image drew accusations of antisemitism, which he called ‘deeply offensive and hurtful.’ The episode escalated when René Born, a member of St. Pauli’s supervisory board, left a critical comment on the Instagram account of Irvine’s wife, Jamilla Pir, prompting her to post that ‘bullies need calling out.’ Irvine told an ABC podcast it was ‘wild’ that an attempt had been made to intimidate him from his position of power.
Despite the setbacks, Irvine said the buildup to the tournament has been enjoyable and that the chance to compete at a third World Cup carried extra meaning. ‘It’s been so enjoyable to be a part of this buildup and to be sitting here again, so grateful,’ he told ESPN, adding that the tournament ‘is gonna be amazing.’
