Graham Arnold has revealed his 26-man World Cup squad for this month’s World Cup, confirming a dream call-up for 18-year-old sensation Garang Kuol and some bombshell omissions.

Arnold announced the squad from Qatar on Tuesday afternoon, with star midfielder Tom Rogic — considered by many as Australia’s best player — missing despite being widely tipped to return to the squad after his mysterious absence from June’s crunch qualifying playoffs.

Key defenders Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar were also selected despite only just returning from significant injuries but veteran centre back Trent Sainsbury, Arnold’s son-in-law and a former captain of the team, was another shock name missing.

Scottish-based midfielder Keanu Baccus was among the bolters included in squad along with Scottish-born striker Jason Cummings, who joined Central Coast teammate Kuol in booking a fairytale ticket to Qatar.

The announcement confirmed earlier reports of the bombshell omission of veteran goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who was widely tipped to be included — and perhaps even pressure Mat Ryan for the starting gig — after being coerced out of international retirement earlier this year,

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Langerak — Nagoya Grampus’ player of the year — missed out as the ‘Grey Wiggle’ Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic were the other two keepers to make the squad.

Langerak returned to the international fold for the friendlies against New Zealand in September after discussions with Arnold but did not feature in the matches.

News of Langerak’s likely omission was earlier on Tuesday met with surprise on Twitter from ex-Socceroos Robert Cornthwaite and Tommy Oar, the latter seemingly accusing Arnold and goalkeeping coach John Crawley of giving “jobs for the boys”.

“It’s an absolute wind up,” Oar, who played 28 times for the Socceroos, wrote.

“Takes jobs for the boys to a whole new level. He’s (Langerak) been one of our best performing players consistently for the last five years and is one of the best blokes you’ll meet, respected by everyone.”

Kuol, 18, made a big statement with two assists off the bench in his latest outing for the Mariners and remarkably makes the Cup squad despite having never started a professional club match — convincing Arnold with some scintillating performances off the bench for the Mariners in recent weeks.

There will still be the opportunity for Arnold to make changes to his squad until the FIFA deadline of Tuesday, November 15 should injury strike.

The Socceroos face France in their first match in Qatar on Wednesday, November 23 (6am AEDT).

SOCCEROOS’ 26-MAN WORLD CUP SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Mat Ryan

Danny Vukovic

Andrew Redmayne

DEFENDERS

Nathaniel Atkison

Aziz Behich

Fran Karacic

Joel King

Kye Rowles

Harry Souttar

Milos Degenek

Thomas Deng

Bailey Wright

MIDFIELDERS

Keanu Baccus

Cameron Devlin

Ajdin Hrustic

Jackson Irvine

Aaron Mooy

Riley McGree

FORWARDS

Craig Goodwin

Martin Boyle

Jamie Maclaren

Awer Mabil

Mat Leckie

Garang Kuol

Mitchell Duke

Jason Cummings

SOCCEROOS FIXTURES

Wednesday, November 23

Australia vs France, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 6am

Saturday, November 26

Australia vs Tunisia, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 9pm

Thursday, December 1

Australia vs Denmark, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, 2am