The former Socceroo remains available for Australia while settling into life with Lion City Sailors and calling for a bigger, more competitive A-League.
Bailey Wright has no plans to formally retire from international football, even as Australia’s next generation moves ahead and his own career enters its later years. The 34-year-old defender remains open to a Socceroos call-up, while his life and club career have taken root in Singapore.
Wright arrived in Adelaide with Lion City Sailors for their AFC Champions League Two match against Adelaide United on Thursday. Speaking to Football360, he said he’d accept an invitation to represent Australia if one came, despite knowing he’s no longer near the front of the selection queue.
“I don’t think I’d ever internationally retire. Why would I?” Wright said. “If one day my name’s on a list and they suddenly want me to represent my country, no problem. I’ll be there.”
His last Socceroos appearance came against Ecuador in March 2023. Since then, younger defenders including Lucas Herrington and Alessandro Circati have emerged. Wright said he understands that other players deserve their opportunities, and doesn’t see a formal announcement as necessary.
“I love Australia, I love everything about it,” he said. “The feeling of representing your country, your family… I don’t feel the need to come out and say I’m retired.”
Watching Australia as a former teammate
Wright’s connection to the national team now comes partly through the stands. He follows the progress of the younger players with excitement, linking their potential influence to the Golden Generation that first drew him to football.
“I just want the country to do well,” he said. “Whenever the Socceroos play, I know how important it is for the future of Australian football. It’s what made me fall in love with football, the Golden Generation and their achievements.”
There’s a second source of satisfaction: seeing familiar teammates continue to perform. Wright singled out Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie and Aziz Behich, praising their fitness and continued contribution. He was particularly disappointed by Leckie’s injury, but said he still knows the quality the veteran winger brings.
Having played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Wright watched the next tournament from Melbourne. The experience brought some “FOMO,” he said, alongside the pleasure of following the games with his wife, children and parents. He often watched alone, though. Football conversations can make it hard for him to simply enjoy a match, especially when viewers want to dissect tactics.
A complicated Asian Cup fixture
The prospect of Australia facing Singapore at the AFC Asian Cup would put Wright in an unusual position. He expects to watch from his new home in Singapore, where his club has deep ties to the national side: 11 Lion City Sailors players feature for Singapore’s team.
Wright declined to identify individual threats when asked to scout the squad for Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. Instead, he pointed to Singapore’s collective spirit and its qualification for the tournament on merit as markers of a side with momentum.
“I wouldn’t single any player out,” he said. “I think it’d be fair to say that their strength is their togetherness and their willingness to create history, and that can be tough opposition to play against.”
His loyalties are clear, even if his interest in Singapore’s progress runs deep. Wright wants Australia to win the Asian Cup, but hopes a meeting with Singapore would be competitive. Asked if he’d settle for a 1-1 draw, he replied: “I want Australia to win.”
Singapore has become a second home
Singapore was Wright’s first move after 13 years playing in Europe. He once pictured returning to Australia, possibly Melbourne, but says he’s found a life in Singapore that suits him and his family more than he expected.
He praised Lion City Sailors’ ambitions on and off the pitch, and said the club continues to strengthen as it competes for trophies. His wife and children are happy there, and Wright says he’s settled. A return to Australia remains possible, but he feels no immediate pull to leave.
“All my family’s in Melbourne, and one day I’ll probably end up living there,” he said. “But football-wise, I’m enjoying what I’m doing right now, and we’ll see how many more years are left in me.”
Wright wants a bigger A-League
His current base hasn’t dulled his interest in Australian football. Wright appeared briefly in Season 0 of Breaking Barriers, making the case for the documentary to focus on the Mornington Peninsula, where he grew up. He also weighed in on renewed discussion about the A-League’s structure after South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph.
Wright believes the league needs more clubs, especially teams with established history and culture. He named South Melbourne as one example and said clubs like it could add depth and competition to the league.
“I feel we need more teams,” Wright said. “We need more teams with history and culture that clubs like South Melbourne have.”
For now, Wright’s focus is with Lion City Sailors, but his comments point to a career still connected to both Australian and Singaporean football. He’ll keep the Socceroos door open, and he wants to see Australian football make room for more clubs with a strong local following.
Adelaide face Lion City Sailors at 6.45pm AEDT on Thursday.
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