Socceroos star hospitalised with head injury before Aussies’ WCQ

The 30-year-old winger was expected to be called up by Graham Arnold for Australia’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers this month. 

Socceroos’ star Martin Boyle suffered a scary injury in Hibernian’s Scottish Cup clash against Rangers on Sunday. The Edinburgh-born Australia international was stretchered off the field and hospitalised following a scary collision. He is now in a stable condition.  
 
It’s too early to say whether he will be a part of Graham Arnold’s squad for Australia’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches this month. 

Boyle suffers scary injury

Hibernian winger Martin Boyle collided with Rangers’ John Souttar mid-air just eight minutes before halftime in Hibs’ Scottish Cup match against the Gers on Sunday.  
 
Boyle came crashing down to the pitch and laid motionless until Hibernian medical staff came to his assistance. The 30-year-old was then stretchered off the pitch to the applause of fans from both sides and from his fellow teammates.  
 
Hibernian clarified after the match that Boyle was sent directly to a hospital in Edinburgh. Via a statement, Hibs have announced that Boyle is now “in a stable condition in hospital.”   
 
Boyle also released a statement on his social media, saying “Big thanks to the Hibs & Rangers medical staff for looking after me on the pitch after the incident. Thank you to the royal infirmary Hospital and the team for looking after me when I arrived. Home now to recover with the family.” 
 
Hibs also confirmed that Boyle “has returned home from hospital in the company of his wife and children.” 
 
Boyle’s club also revealed that “The tests thankfully came back all clear and revealed that Martin has concussion. He will now rest at home and will follow the concussion protocol.” 
 
Headline: Boyle to miss Socceroos World Cup Qualifying 
Australia’s next AFC World Cup Qualifying matches are just over a week away. The first match, against Lebanon, is on March 21 at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. Their  second is also against Lebanon at the GIO Stadium Canberra on March 26.  
 
Martin Boyle was expected to be a part of the Socceroos’ squad for both Australia’s World Cup qualifying matches. The veteran winger started all five matches for the Socceroos at the 2023 Asian Cup in January.  
 
Graham Arnold is set to announce his Socceroos World Cup qualifying squad any day now. Boyle’s injury status has not been fully clarified, but it’s almost certain that he will miss this round of fixtures for Australia.

Socceroos World Cup Qualifying preview

Martin Doyle is a key member of Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad, but they probably won’t need him against Lebanon in Australia’s next two matches. Don’t just take our word for it, the betting sites have Australia as huge favourites against the Cedars.  

Australia are coming into these matches coming off a disappointing AFC Asian Cup run where they were knocked out by South Korea in extra time at the quarter-finals stage. In World Cup qualifying though, Australia have been dominant.  
 
The Socceroos have won both of their World Cup qualifying matches so far. They started their campaign with a 7-0 win against Bangladesh and a 1-0 win over Palestine.  
 
Lebanon drew 0-0 with Palestine and 1-1 with Bangladesh, respectively, in their two World Cup qualifying matches so far. 

A win for Australia vs. Lebanon would secure qualification into the next round of AFC World Cup Qualifying for the Socceroos. The Aussies are almost guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.