Socceroos World Cup 2022 squad: Tom Rogic misses selection for tournament

The enigmatic Rogic failed to make the final selection cut on Tuesday, left out of Arnold's 26-strong squad to play at the world's biggest tournament in Qatar later this month.

It's a massive blow for the Canberra junior, but not all that surprising to many after Rogic withdrew from World Cup qualifiers earlier this year and has been getting limited game time with West Bromwich Albion.

Rogic made himself unavailable for crucial clashes against the UAE and Peru, citing personal reasons but not explaining any further publicly or to his teammates.

The Socceroos beat the UAE 2-1 and then snuck into the World Cup draw when they beat Peru in a penalty shootout.

Arnold, who coached Rogic at the Central Coast Mariners at the start of his career, was adamant Rogic's shock qualification absence played no role in his World Cup omission.

"Absolutely not at all," Arnold said.

It's the second time Rogic has missed World Cup selection at the final hurdle after his hopes of playing in the 2018 tournament in Russia were ruined by a groin injury.

Now 29, there are concerns Rogic may never get to play at a World Cup despite being one of the Socceroos' best during an era of change over the past decade.

Arnold sent assistant coach Tony Vidmar to England to watch Rogic play for West Bromwich Albion, but ultimately said his selection decision came down to flexibility.

"During the time I spoke to Tommy and had Tony Vidmar go all the way from Australia to West Brom to watch Tommy ... Rene Meulensteen was over in the UK to watch Tommy," Arnold said.

"At the end of the day I can only pick two players for every position in a 26-man squad. I would have loved to have picked 50 players.

"We've gone for Ajdin Hrustic and Riley McGree in that area ... we need some flexibility. We need players that are extremely fit and ready, I just felt at this moment in time, that was the decision [I had to make] on the playing side of it.

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"Tommy has been an absolutely brilliant Australian football and will continue to be so, but I have to make those decisions."

Rogic said he needed a new challenge this year, which led him to leaving Celtic after winning the Scottish Premiership and linking with West Bromwich Albion.

But he has played just five games since making the move to the English Championship and hasn't had the dynamic impact he has shown throughout his career.

In the end, the lack of game time led to Rogic being one of several selection shocks on the squad announcement on Tuesday.

Trent Sainsbury and goalkeeper Mitch Langerak were also left out, but teenage star Garang Kuol gets his chance among 17 World Cup rookies.

Arnold challenged Kuol, 18, to "show the world what you can do", but said the past few weeks had been draining trying to settle on a final 26-man squad.

"I have to say, it's been a tough last few days, I've had to make a lot of phone calls that disappoint people which is very difficult," Arnold said. "But I'd rather look at the positives. We're taking 17 players for the first time and we'll be relying heavily on the nine that have been at World Cups before."

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