2026 World Cup Squad

[Quicky]

I'd have Devlin as a sub to get legs in midfield and shut up shop when needed. Trewin may also be good at that, and doubles as CB cover. I like that flexibility.

 

[Toebash]

Thanks for the kind words and appreciate the feedback. Elder has not been impressive in his Socceroos appearances, imo. Behich still is performing very strongly at Socceroos level. I think he is the second-best left back we have. Fair point re: Iredale. I don't think he will make it. I think being picked in the friendly squads but not seeing minutes is an indicator that they didn't really impress the coaching staff.

Scicluna has been excellent this season, as he was pre-ACL last season (when I felt he should get a call-up). I love Devlin as a player, and he has been brilliant for Hearts for years. Like Iredale, I feel his lack of minutes in the friendlies was a tell that he doesn't really fit the plans. Fundamentally though, I think the coaching staff are looking for a partner for Irvine who can receive from the CBs and progress the ball. Devlin is a phenomenal ball-winner but ball progression isn't his game. Scicluna and Okon are the two best players to solve this problem. They are highly press resistant - even in teams where the CBs struggle to find them consistently. Okon is aerially dominant while Scicluna is almost at Devlin's level of ball-winning.

Haha aw mate, if I knew the author of the article would be reading my half-baked analysis of it I would have been much more complimentary. It really was excellent and cheers for the distraction during my workday.

 

[dr. bellows]

I'd have Devlin as a sub to get legs in midfield and shut up shop when needed. Trewin may also be good at that, and doubles as CB cover. I like that flexibility.

Agreed re Trewin's flexibility. I really thought Popa was going to play Devlin in the Colombia friendly. I agree with AS that the fact he didn't probably means he didn't impress Popa enough in training. I think your logic is sound and it's still not too late, albeit in the area of the park where we have the most options.

 

[scout_aussie]

I really enjoyed the article. I had very similar views on defence and goalkeepers, and different views on the midfielders and forwards.

I was glad to see someone else talking about Bennie the right wing back.

In midfield, if we're after ball progression I think Robertson is our best option. He is proven at Championship level, is having a great season in League one, and has a strong defensive game too. I think you could adapt his role to what is needed.

With Okon and Scicluna, they're doing a good job at A-League level. I worry about that leap to World Cup level and whether they can adapt to that leap in quality. It's straight in the deep end. I think there is real risk there that you would want to resolve prior. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the friendlies.

Thank you.

Re: Robertson. I think I wrote it somewhere on Twitter, but I am a big fan of Robertson. In a different system, he could fight for a starting spot. But if we assume that Irvine will start, I don't think they would be a good pair. Both like to get forward and are not naturally holding midfielders, though Robertson has hugely improved his duel-winning numbers over the past two years. I think Irvine needs to play next to a holding midfielder. The candidates then become Okon, Devlin, Scicluna, Trewin, O'Neill and Brattan. Looking at ball progression only, Okon and Scicluna are the best candidates, apart from maybe Brattan - though I don't think he has the legs to play in a World Cup. Okon is excellent in the air and Scicluna is a top ball-winner, making them both well-rounded candidates. I would select them both in the upcoming friendlies and see how they go. I thought Okon was solid on debut in the last camp, and he has levels in him.

 

[patjennings]

It's the squad I would pick for Popović's system, which I think has done a good job of getting the best out of our player pool. I think Popović will pick a different squad.

I keep going back to Popovic saying that he wants to do something special. To my mind this doesn't do that. To do something special you need to get out of the group. Which means you need to pick your squad to do that.

For me this is a squad that will struggle to do that. While Popovic may have picked certain people more often doesn't convince me that his final side will contain those players.

Where is the x factor. Where is the team that will be able to overcome Turkey's quality, the USA's possession and Paraguay's stingy defence.

I actually think Popovic has plans that he is not ready to reveal yet.

I was a sceptic and will return to being one if this is close to who he picks. Maybe 17-18 are where I think he will go. But the other 8 or 9 can turn the squad from a let's do our best to this is a squad that on their day can scare anyone but the truly elite.

 

[Decentric]

I reckon it will be a nightmare trying to select a Socceroo squad ATM.

There are now so many players across so many leagues where it is difficult to appraise who is playing at what level compared to others. This is particularly with players who haven't been in Socceroo camps.

Jets whiz kids are flying in the AL - unexpectedly. Milligan has mooted Max Burgess as a deep lying playmaker for the Socceroos.

I was very impressed with Burgess's skills, live, when he played a few games in Hobart. Then he seemed to go into Talay's sin bin. Now MB is playing superbly, under a different coach. He is captain of Jets. Who is correct in his MB appraisal - Milligan or Talay?

This scenario would occur overseas with Aussie players being frozen out - in some scenarios.

We all know how good Arzani, Teague, Stam, Farrell are. Yet overseas transfers haven't been good for them. Agostino too.

Right ATM Mo Toure is scoring freely in the Champ. Come another month, he might be in a scoring lapse. What we know he has delivered for the Socceroos.

 

[Decentric]

Thank you.

Re: Robertson. I think I wrote it somewhere on Twitter, but I am a big fan of Robertson. In a different system, he could fight for a starting spot. But if we assume that Irvine will start, I don't think they would be a good pair. Both like to get forward and are not naturally holding midfielders, though Robertson has hugely improved his duel-winning numbers over the past two years. I think Irvine needs to play next to a holding midfielder. The candidates then become Okon, Devlin, Scicluna, Trewin, O'Neill and Brattan. Looking at ball progression only, Okon and Scicluna are the best candidates, apart from maybe Brattan - though I don't think he has the legs to play in a World Cup. Okon is excellent in the air and Scicluna is a top ball-winner, making them both well-rounded candidates. I would select them both in the upcoming friendlies and see how they go. I thought Okon was solid on debut in the last camp, and he has levels in him.

Welcome to the forum, Scout Aussie.

We might have met online years ago.

Brattan's distrib and handling speed is superb, but he had his only Socceroo game against the best team Aus has ever played in Asia.

LB is a good 1v1 ball winner too - but sometimes struggles to get to enough of those contests.

 

[Decentric]

Agreed re Trewin's flexibility. I really thought Popa was going to play Devlin in the Colombia friendly. I agree with AS that the fact he didn't probably means he didn't impress Popa enough in training. I think your logic is sound and it's still not too late, albeit in the area of the park where we have the most options.

Agreed re Trewin's flexibility. I really thought Popa was going to play Devlin in the Colombia friendly. I agree with AS that the fact he didn't probably means he didn't impress Popa enough in training. I think your logic is sound and it's still not too late, albeit in the area of the park where we have the most options.

A big factor when I watch Scotland, apart from the Old Firm, is the lack of movement of players off the ball is insufficient to support the ball carrier - and - is not as good as the AL.

In the slower tempo Aus AL, played in summer, a player receiving the ball, will have more teammates opening viable passing lanes to receive the ball, than in Scotland.

Melb Vic, Jets, City, SFC, exemplify this quality - Auckland not so much.

Conversely, the ability to win hard balls in transitional play, ( Defensive and Attacking Transitions) or Contested Ball Phase, would be very high in Scotland relative to almost any other league.

In international football, teams tend to have longer periods in possession. Play doesn't occur in transitional play as much as Scotland - when neither team has clear possession.

 

[dr. bellows]

It's the squad I would pick for Popović's system, which I think has done a good job of getting the best out of our player pool. I think Popović will pick a different squad.

I'd question the selection of Boyle. Form looks to have deteriorated somewhat this season. Suto might be an interesting prospect but too early to judge. I don't know anything about his form in Croatia and hasn't had many minutes at Hibs so far. I'm not sure he'd even be eligible for a call-up atm.

 

[Cunningstunt]

Thank you.

Re: Robertson. I think I wrote it somewhere on Twitter, but I am a big fan of Robertson. In a different system, he could fight for a starting spot. But if we assume that Irvine will start, I don't think they would be a good pair. Both like to get forward and are not naturally holding midfielders, though Robertson has hugely improved his duel-winning numbers over the past two years. I think Irvine needs to play next to a holding midfielder. The candidates then become Okon, Devlin, Scicluna, Trewin, O'Neill and Brattan. Looking at ball progression only, Okon and Scicluna are the best candidates, apart from maybe Brattan - though I don't think he has the legs to play in a World Cup. Okon is excellent in the air and Scicluna is a top ball-winner, making them both well-rounded candidates. I would select them both in the upcoming friendlies and see how they go. I thought Okon was solid on debut in the last camp, and he has levels in him.

I love your work on twitter. Thanks for the time you put in.

I would expect midfield is where Popa takes the least risk, so anticipated Oneill to be the one to get the gig.

I reckon it will be a nightmare trying to select a Socceroo squad ATM.

There are now so many players across so many leagues where it is difficult to appraise who is playing at what level compared to others. This is particularly with players who haven't been in Socceroo camps.

Jets whiz kids are flying in the AL - unexpectedly. Milligan has mooted Max Burgess as a deep lying playmaker for the Socceroos.

I was very impressed with Burgess's skills, live, when he played a few games in Hobart. Then he seemed to go into Talay's sin bin. Now MB is playing superbly, under a different coach. He is captain of Jets. Who is correct in his MB appraisal - Milligan or Talay?

This scenario would occur overseas with Aussie players being frozen out - in some scenarios.

We all know how good Arzani, Teague, Stam, Farrell are. Yet overseas transfers haven't been good for them. Agostino too.

Right ATM Mo Toure is scoring freely in the Champ. Come another month, he might be in a scoring lapse. What we know he has delivered for the Socceroos.

I have thought this as well. There are a lot of kids who look to have more talent than some of the experienced guys, but they haven't quite cemented themselves at their club yet. Hopefully this works out well over the next 5-10 years.

 

[Bruce Ramsay]

I'd question the selection of Boyle. Form looks to have deteriorated somewhat this season. Suto might be an interesting prospect but too early to judge. I don't know anything about his form in Croatia and hasn't had many minutes at Hibs so far. I'm not sure he'd even be eligible for a call-up atm.

Yeah, Suto is eligible through having a parent born in Australia (see his recent interview - on Football 360, I think it was).

Has never played international football, including Friendlies, for any nation. If Australia want him, all they have to do is select him. I don't think Croatia are interested but since his move to Scotland, maybe they might become more so.

 

[Quicky]

Thank you.

Re: Robertson. I think I wrote it somewhere on Twitter, but I am a big fan of Robertson. In a different system, he could fight for a starting spot. But if we assume that Irvine will start, I don't think they would be a good pair. Both like to get forward and are not naturally holding midfielders, though Robertson has hugely improved his duel-winning numbers over the past two years. I think Irvine needs to play next to a holding midfielder. The candidates then become Okon, Devlin, Scicluna, Trewin, O'Neill and Brattan. Looking at ball progression only, Okon and Scicluna are the best candidates, apart from maybe Brattan - though I don't think he has the legs to play in a World Cup. Okon is excellent in the air and Scicluna is a top ball-winner, making them both well-rounded candidates. I would select them both in the upcoming friendlies and see how they go. I thought Okon was solid on debut in the last camp, and he has levels in him.

Thanks for the response. I really like the discussion and thought process.

Where do you rate Balard as a partner for Irvine? I feel he is an incredibly good screener who can also progress the ball, albeit perhaps not at the level of others like Robertson. Or where we may project Okon and Scicluna to perform (high ceiling), given they are only doing this at AL level atm (a circa top 50 league).

I guess that's where projection comes in which is kinda woolly to me - I appreciate your insights here.

By comparison we know Balard is doing a job week-in and out at Eredivisie level (circa top 10-15 league). I rate the club level and performance as important.

 

[scout_aussie]

I keep going back to Popovic saying that he wants to do something special. To my mind this doesn't do that. To do something special you need to get out of the group. Which means you need to pick your squad to do that.

For me this is a squad that will struggle to do that. While Popovic may have picked certain people more often doesn't convince me that his final side will contain those players.

Where is the x factor. Where is the team that will be able to overcome Turkey's quality, the USA's possession and Paraguay's stingy defence.

I actually think Popovic has plans that he is not ready to reveal yet.

I was a sceptic and will return to being one if this is close to who he picks. Maybe 17-18 are where I think he will go. But the other 8 or 9 can turn the squad from a let's do our best to this is a squad that on their day can scare anyone but the truly elite.

I don't really think they lack X-factor. I think Bos, Touré, Irankunda, McGree and hopefully Volpato all add X-factor in the final third. I think Okon and Scicluna's ability to break lines can unlock that. At the last World Cup, with a much weaker squad, we were able to threaten and beat strong teams. I am confident we can do better in terms of performances, and hopefully in terms of results, at this World Cup.

 

[scout_aussie]

Thanks for the response. I really like the discussion and thought process.

Where do you rate Balard as a partner for Irvine? I feel he is an incredibly good screener who can also progress the ball, albeit perhaps not at the level of others like Robertson. Or where we may project Okon and Scicluna to perform (high ceiling), given they are only doing this at AL level atm (a circa top 50 league).

I guess that's where projection comes in which is kinda woolly to me - I appreciate your insights here.

By comparison we know Balard is doing a job week-in and out at Eredivisie level (circa top 10-15 league). I rate the club level and performance as important.

Balard has performed well in recent camps. But there are several things to consider. He doesn't really complement Irvine that well, in my opinion. Neither is comfortable receiving the ball from the centre-backs and breaking lines and neither is a prolific ball-winner. I think at least one of the two pivots needs to be able to do those things. I also think that Okon and Scicluna are performing at levels in the A-Leaue which are equal to or even better than Balard ever did, even in his excellent final season. The other thing is that the Eredivisie has become much weaker in recent years. It is probably somewhere between 15-20 in terms of the top leagues in the world. Balard plays for just about the worst team in the league, though he is one of their better players. His team is not that much stronger, if at all, than a top A-League team - with the caveat that he plays more games against better opposition. Opta has an interesting tool to compare league and team quality. It might be worth checking them out:
League: https://theanalyst.com/articles/strongest-football-leagues-in-the-world-opta-power-rankings
Team: https://theanalyst.com/articles/who-are-the-best-football-team-in-the-world-opta-power-rankings

 

[Quicky]

Balard has performed well in recent camps. But there are several things to consider. He doesn't really complement Irvine that well, in my opinion. Neither is comfortable receiving the ball from the centre-backs and breaking lines and neither is a prolific ball-winner. I think at least one of the two pivots needs to be able to do those things. I also think that Okon and Scicluna are performing at levels in the A-Leaue which are equal to or even better than Balard ever did, even in his excellent final season. The other thing is that the Eredivisie has become much weaker in recent years. It is probably somewhere between 15-20 in terms of the top leagues in the world. Balard plays for just about the worst team in the league, though he is one of their better players. His team is not that much stronger, if at all, than a top A-League team - with the caveat that he plays more games against better opposition. Opta has an interesting tool to compare league and team quality. It might be worth checking them out:
League: https://theanalyst.com/articles/strongest-football-leagues-in-the-world-opta-power-rankings
Team: https://theanalyst.com/articles/who-are-the-best-football-team-in-the-world-opta-power-rankings

Okay - a bit of a contraversial question, would we be better with a different midfield pairing than one dictated by Irvines limitations?

 

[scout_aussie]

Okay - a bit of a contraversial question, would we be better with a different midfield pairing than one dictated by Irvines limitations?

I've thought about this a lot and I think the answer is no, to be honest. Irvine is limited but the things he does well are very underrated and extremely important. I'll list some of them. He's very dominant in the air at international level and gets in a lot of aerial duels. He is a genuine goalscoring threat, both from set pieces and from late runs into the box. He covers a lot of ground and is quite a good presser. These are all invaluable attributes, and I don't think we'd be better off without him. I think if we play with him and a press-resistant midfielder like Okon/Scicluna, our midfield would be very good.

 

[Quicky]

I've thought about this a lot and I think the answer is no, to be honest. Irvine is limited but the things he does well are very underrated and extremely important. I'll list some of them. He's very dominant in the air at international level and gets in a lot of aerial duels. He is a genuine goalscoring threat, both from set pieces and from late runs into the box. He covers a lot of ground and is quite a good presser. These are all invaluable attributes, and I don't think we'd be better off without him. I think if we play with him and a press-resistant midfielder like Okon/Scicluna, our midfield would be very good.

I think we're better with Irvine also. I would like to have seen what the team could achieve with a midfield 3.

I actually don't think we're particularly strong in midfield. We're not weak either. We're competent, hard working and have even depth.

I can't wait to see how we might improve in the next world cup cycle as some of our promising young midfielders develop.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

I've thought about this a lot and I think the answer is no, to be honest. Irvine is limited but the things he does well are very underrated and extremely important. I'll list some of them. He's very dominant in the air at international level and gets in a lot of aerial duels. He is a genuine goalscoring threat, both from set pieces and from late runs into the box. He covers a lot of ground and is quite a good presser. These are all invaluable attributes, and I don't think we'd be better off without him. I think if we play with him and a press-resistant midfielder like Okon/Scicluna, our midfield would be very good.

Irvine is a good example of a player who has maximised a limited technical repertoire. Is he playing currently? If not, then he should not come into consideration for a starting place in the NT.

 

[Quicky]

Irvine is a good example of a player who has maximised a limited technical repertoire. Is he playing currently? If not, then he should not come into consideration for a starting place in the NT.

Interesting that he (just) makes the cut in the Bundesliga. With all due respect to his achievements, there is no universe in which he is a EPL player.

Irvines back playing and St Pauli's form has flipped in a good way since his return.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

Irvines back playing and St Pauli's form has flipped in a good way since his return.

Good for him.