Australia’s Jordan Bos emerged as one of the surprise stars of the FIFA World Cupwith the flying full-back not only helping the Socceroos reach the knockout stage, but also outrunning some of football’s biggest speedsters, including Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.The 23-year-old will be in the spotlight again on Friday when Australia face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the Round of 32 at Dallas Stadium, with both nations chasing their first win in a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.The winner will likely earn a last-16 clash against defending champions Argentina, who are heavy favorites against tournament debutants Cabo Verde.
Bos sprints faster than Mbappe and Haaland
Bos burst onto the world stage during Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey, where FIFA data recorded his top speed at an astonishing 36.7 km/h (22.8 mph).That made him faster than many of the tournament’s most feared forwards and defenders during the first round of group stage matches, including France captain Kylian Mbappe, Norway forward Erling Haaland, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven and Uzbekistan centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.Primarily a left winger, Bos also showed his versatility by playing further forward on the right during Australia’s drawless draw with Paraguay, a result that secured the Socceroos a place in the knockout rounds behind co-hosts the United States.
Australia is chasing the historic breakthrough of the World Cup
Australia will now look to make history against Egypt, who also reached the Round of 32 after finishing second in their group, highlighted by their historic 3-1 win over New Zealand – the country’s first FIFA World Cup victory.No nation has won a World Cup knockout match before, guaranteeing that one will break new ground in Texas.Bos’s rapid rise has mirrored Australia’s impressive campaign. After moving through Melbourne City’s academy, he joined Belgian club KVC Westerlo in 2023 for what was then a record transfer fee for a player leaving the Australian domestic league. Just two years later, Dutch giants Feyenoord signed him for a reported five million euros after two impressive seasons in Belgium.Despite growing speculation linking him with another lucrative move to one of Europe’s elite clubs, Bos remains focused solely on Australia’s World Cup mission.“I’m not too worried or thinking a lot,” Bos said. “I’m just living in the moment and trying to do my best for the country. Whatever happens, happens, but now it’s not on my mind at all.”