25 World Cup Players Went Through College Soccer. And Three Socceroos Got Here Via MLS.

Published: June 17, 2026
Author: John Stevanja, Upper 90 College
Category: Recruiting Education

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being played right now, on US soil. And buried inside the rosters of six competing nations — including Australia's own Socceroos — is a statistic that every Australian soccer family should know.

25 players at this World Cup played at least one season of American college soccer.

And three Socceroos made it here via Major League Soccer — the same league those college players feed into every single year.

The Socceroos Who Are Playing in the World Cup — Via MLS

Let's start with our own.

Lucas Herrington — Colorado Rapids / Socceroos

Eighteen years old. Youngest starting defender in the Socceroos in 45 years. Already a key player for Colorado in his debut MLS season — 1 goal, 1 assist in 16 matches heading into the tournament.

Herrington came through Brisbane Roar's A-League system before Colorado signed him on a pre-contract. He debuted for Australia in March 2026, played 90 minutes, and never looked back. He's at the World Cup at 18.

Aiden O'Neill — New York City FC / Socceroos

30 caps. A key part of the Socceroos squad that qualified through the AFC's Third Round. O'Neill arrived at NYCFC in April 2025 from Belgian Pro League side Standard Liège. Before Europe, he cut his teeth in the A-League at Brisbane Roar and then moved abroad.

His presence in MLS — training at the highest domestic US level week in, week out — helped him lock down his World Cup spot.

Kai Trewin — New York City FC / Socceroos

A late push that paid off. Trewin earned his first senior cap in November and made the final 26. He's 25, versatile (midfielder or defender), and joined NYCFC in January 2026 from Melbourne City FC.

Three Australian players. All playing in MLS. All at the World Cup.

Now the Bigger Picture: 25 World Cup Players Went Through College Soccer

The Australian connection to MLS is growing fast. But the deeper story is what MLS itself is built on — and college soccer is a massive part of that.

Across all competing nations at this World Cup, 25 players played at least one season of American college soccer before going professional. Here's a look at some of them:

Tim Ream — Saint Louis University (2006–09)
Four full college seasons. All-American. The USMNT captain at this World Cup started his career at a mid-sized university in Missouri.

Matt Turner — Fairfield University (2012–15)
A walk-on. Not recruited. No scholarship. Earned 20 clean sheets in four years, signed with New England Revolution on a trial, and is now one of the best goalkeepers in American history.

Miles Robinson — Syracuse (2015–16)
Two college seasons. ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Second pick in the 2017 MLS Draft.

Alistair Johnston (Canada) — St. John's & Wake Forest (2016–19)
Four college seasons across two programs. Reached the College Cup semi-final. Now Canada's first-choice right back at the World Cup.

Tajon Buchanan (Canada) — Syracuse (2017–18)
Two college seasons. All-ACC both years. La Liga hat-trick scorer in 2026.

Moise Bombito (Canada) — Iowa Western Community College, then New Hampshire
Started at NJCAA level — a two-year community college. Won the NJCAA national title. Transferred to Division I. Third pick in the 2023 MLS Draft. Now at the World Cup.

Joe Bell (New Zealand) — Virginia (2017–19)
TopDrawerSoccer National Player of the Year 2019. ACC Midfielder of the Year. Made his All Whites debut while still on the college roster.

These are not players who went to college because they couldn't get a professional contract. Many had professional options. They chose college because it made them better.

What This Pathway Actually Looks Like

The line from Australian youth football to the World Cup via the US is becoming a real and established route. Here's the rough shape of it:

Australian junior / A-League academy → College soccer (NCAA/NAIA) → MLS Draft or contract → Professional career → National team

Or more directly:

Australian youth football → MLS club (homegrown or direct signing) → National team

Both paths run through the United States. MLS is now a serious proving ground for Socceroos selection — the Guardian noted this specifically in the lead-up to the tournament.

Lucas Herrington is 18 years old and at the World Cup. He didn't wait until he was 22 or 23 to "see if the pro pathway opened up." He moved to MLS at 17, got game time immediately, and earned a senior cap in his first year.

The Division Doesn't Define the Destination

One thing the college pathway teaches you quickly: the school name matters less than the development.

Moise Bombito went to Iowa Western Community College — an NJCAA institution that most Australian families have never heard of — before reaching the World Cup.

Matt Turner walked on at Fairfield without a scholarship. Undrafted. Now a World Cup goalkeeper.

We see this every year with our own clients. Athletes who started at NAIA or D2 programs, developed their game, earned transfers or professional contracts, and built careers. The division is a starting point, not a ceiling.

What Aussie Families Should Take From This

The Socceroos squad watching from the bench, waiting for their turn, includes players who are 18 years old and playing MLS. That's the pace of development that's possible when you commit early and get into the right environment.

Australian families who act in Year 10 or Year 11 — who start the recruiting process now, while the World Cup is on TV and everyone is paying attention — are the ones who will have options in 18 months.

The families who watch this tournament, feel inspired, and then do nothing until Year 12 will find the spots are gone. Coaches fill rosters 12–18 months in advance. The window for the best schools closes well before most families think to look.

The US college soccer system developed USMNT captains, World Cup goalkeepers, and Canadian World Cup starters. It's now developing Socceroos.

The pathway exists. The question is whether your athlete is on it.

Book a Pathway Session and we'll map out exactly where your athlete sits, what's realistic, and what the timeline looks like.

👉 Book a Pathway Session

John Stevanja is the founder of Upper 90 College, Australia's leading US college soccer placement service. With over 16 years of experience and athletes placed across NCAA D1, D2, NAIA and NJCAA programs, Upper 90 College navigates the US college recruiting system for Australian families.