Irankunda stars, Selvik features and Chakvetadze injured on international duty

Nestory Irankunda tuned up for the World Cup nicely by winning Player of the Match in Australia's 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday.

Irankunda played the first 70 minutes of the pre-tournament work-out as he aims to secure his spot in the Socceroos' XI for their opener against Türkiye next Sunday.

More: Alberto Garrido announces departure from Watford coaching staff

The Watford forward has been part of an Australia camp that has been going on for several weeks as they prepare for the competition and insisted afterwards that his side will be ready.

He said: "It's something I've been working for, to play many minutes for the Socceroos. To get to do that today was great.

"It's been unreal, a great experience to finally get the opportunity to be part of the Socceroos for the World Cup. I'm super happy and super proud of myself.

A brilliant display against strong Swiss opposition 💪 Nestory Irankunda is your #SUIvAUS Player of the Match, as voted by our fans. ✨ #Socceroos pic.twitter.com/WFtKXRcysL

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 6, 2026

"The last week's training has been pretty rough but we have to do what we have to do to be fit.

"How can't you be ready now? We've been together for nearly a month, pushing each other, and we've worked so hard to finally get to play in the tournament everybody dreams of playing in."

Egil Selvik also featured in a World Cup warm-up this weekend, appearing off the bench as Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco on Sunday night.

Selvik is expected to be the number two goalkeeper when his side get their campaign under way against Iraq next Tuesday (June 16).

More: Fixtures, key dates, odds: Everything you need to know about the 2026/27 Championship

Edo Kayembe, meanwhile, played 54 minutes last Wednesday as DR Congo drew 0-0 with Denmark.

His side will play Chile behind closed doors in Cadiz, Spain on Tuesday amid fears about the Ebola outbreak in the African country.

The United States stipulates that entry will only be allowed for people who have spent 21 days outside of DR Congo and are symptom-free - and while no players have visited their homeland within that timeframe, plenty of staff and fans have.

They play their first World Cup match against Portugal next Wednesday (June 17).

Chakvetadze goes off injured. #GEOROU pic.twitter.com/Z2gNtHtJIY

— Football24/7 (@foet247europa) June 2, 2026

Away from the main event, Giorgi Chakvetadze hobbled off injured in Georgia's 1-1 friendly draw with Romania last week.

The attacking midfielder went down on the stroke of half-time and did not appear after the break, also absent for Friday's 2-0 victory over Bahrain.

Mamadou Doumbia started in Mali's 2-0 defeat to Iran on Thursday, while James Abankwah moved onto four Republic of Ireland caps as he played 45 minutes in the 1-0 win against Qatar and all 90 of the 1-1 draw with Canada.

Abankwah, it is understood, is currently due back at Udinese for pre-season this summer, though his future is still being discussed after 18 months on loan at Watford.