Socceroos eager to disprove World Cup underdog tag, says coach Tony Popovic

• Australia coach talks up chances against Turkey, US and Paraguay

• Players to assemble in Florida ahead of squad deadline on 1 June

Socceroos’ coach Tony Popovic said he wants to spoil predictions his team will struggle to progress out of one of the World Cup’s most challenging groups, as he named the first players selected for training camp and revealed a shock selection lifeline for Qatar 2022 hero Mat Leckie.

Popovic departs for pre-tournament preparations in Florida on Wednesday, and will bring players in as they finish their seasons over the coming weeks, ahead of the deadline for naming squads on 1 June.