Fairfax Media understands Ibini will likely be selected by Ange Postecoglou for the friendlies against the UAE in Abu Dhabi on October 11 and against Qatar in Doha four days later. A call-up would rule him out of Sydney's opening game of the season against Melbourne City, and may also jeopardise his participation in the Sydney derby in round two due to fatigue.

Ibini is one of a number of A-League players who are all but certain to be on the list in the next Socceroos squad announcement as Postecoglou aims to boost the player pool for next year's Asian Cup on home soil. His selection in the national team, alongside the likes of Melbourne Victory captain Mark Milligan, again questions whether the A-League should break for FIFA international dates.

Unlike most leagues around the world, the A-League does not break for international games. There has been a long-held argument between clubs and Football Federation Australia over calls for scheduling changes. Sydney FC may be the next club to enter the debate as they prepare to lose almost their entire strike force in the coming months due to international duty.

The FFA made an unprecedented decision to put the competition on hold from January 6 to January 24 to accommodate venue clashes for the Asian Cup but calls are growing from players and clubs for the governing body to extend breaks for most FIFA international dates. Milligan has already been vocal about his disappointment in missing the opening game of the season. Joining Ibini in the departure lounge before round one against City is marquee man Marc Janko, who will likely be called up for Austria's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Moldova and Montenegro.

Sydney's forward line will again be depleted in mid-November should Ibini receive another call-up. Other likely absentees include Janko, Iraq's Ali Abbas, New Zealand's Shane Smeltz as well as young Socceroo Chris Naumoff and Australia under-23 forward, Corey Gameiro. The absences could leave Alex Brosque as the club's only recognised forward.

The Socceroos play in Japan on November 19 during the midweek FIFA international date which will force those called up to miss round six of the A-League when Sydney FC play Melbourne Victory, another club likely to lose players to the Socceroos.

To compound Sydney's challenges, Abbas is back on the radar of the Iraqi national team and could represent his country of birth for the first time in seven years after being named in the provisional squad for the Gulf Cup in November.