Mitch Duke Hangs Up the Green and Gold After 50 Caps

Mitch Duke, one of the most reliable forwards to pull on the Australia shirt in recent years, announced his retirement from international football on Saturday, according to Reuters. The striker bows out having represented his country 50 times, a number he described as "a dream come true 50 times over."

Duke played a meaningful part in steering Australia through their qualification campaign for this very tournament, scoring the decisive goal against Saudi Arabia to help seal their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Despite that contribution, he was not selected in the final squad and ultimately watched the tournament from outside the group.

In a heartfelt statement, Duke reflected on the scale of what he had achieved, noting that as a child he dreamed of wearing the green and gold even once. To do so half a century of times, he suggested, was beyond anything he had imagined. It is a warm and fitting farewell from a player who gave everything for his country.