Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy has paid tribute to Tim Cahill following his decision to retire from international football. The 38-year-old had represented the Socceroos in four World Cups including the most recent one in Russia, where the national team were ousted in the group stage.

Speaking in a news conference, Lowy hailed Cahill as a footballing great in the country and hopes the marksman remains an inspiration for the generations to come, he said: “Tim Cahill is a football great in Australia. As a player and as a person he has had an enormous impact on the game. Tim’s performances on and off the pitch and his feats at FIFA World Cups and AFC Asian Cups have inspired millions across the globe, but it is in Australia, where Tim is a household name.”

Australia head coach Bert van Marwijk has admitted that he has already noted down a core of players who would be travelling for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. The Dutchman has recently announced a 32-man provisional squad but this is expected to be slashed to 26 ahead of an intense training camp in Turkey. Thereafter, Van Marwijk will be tasked with picking his final 23-man squad for the global tournament.

Speaking to reporters, he said:"I should be lying if I didn't say that maybe in head are 26 or 27 players. Every coach has the same feeling.