Socceroos reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones has officially withdrawn from the World Cup, with Eugene Galekovic drafted into the 23-man squad.

Jones notified Football Federation Australia (FFA) on Friday he would remain with his family in France after his four-year-old son Luca was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was given leave from the Australian training camp last weekend after the news, which rocked the close-knit squad.

The sport's world governing body FIFA has given the Socceroos special dispensation to add Adelaide United goalkeeper Galekovic to the squad as Jones' replacement because of the circumstances.

"Brad has told us he won't be coming back and Eugene has been allowed to officially become part of the squad," an FFA spokesman said.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek had been working on the basis Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jones would remain at his son's side, with Reading keeper Adam Federici now to be Mark Schwarzer's understudy.

Galekovic will be the third-string goalkeeper.

Australia's World Cup opener is against Germany in Durban on Sunday (Mon AEST).

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