World Cup 2026 Australia thread

[DandyCasey]

God, which one is it Tony?

On O'Neill's injury:

'Over a career players maybe have 2 games at 100% as they're always carrying something.'

30 seconds later:

'Aiden has always played for us at 100%' What? Those 13-15 matches suddenly exploded into perfection when a player supposedly has 2 1ßß% matches their entire career but O'Neill has managed 100% always for you? What a super human!

He also talked down played the standard of the A-league when it suited (regarding inexperienced Younis performancs) and talked up Leckie's performance in a one off A-league game when that suited after his injury layoff.

 

[Quicky]

Can't see either making the 26.

Elder won't. I'd pick him if fit. Goodwin I think should go. We're light on the left.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Elder won't. I'd pick him if fit. Goodwin I think should go. We're light on the left.

Agree that Craig Goodwin should be in the final 26-player list for the World Cup as he provides much needed depth in the left winger position and also has previous World Cup experience having been part of the Socceroos playing list last cycle.

 

[Quicky]

States 70%-80% of squad is picked but openings are there.

If O'Neill is out, Leckie is going to start in midfield, isn't he?

I'm warming up to Leckie for the experience. His return shoots down a number of others.

Okon is an absolute shoe in.

So many more deserving than Leckie at CM. I'd be fuming if he comes out of the blue and sidelines Robertson, Balard, Devlin or others. A train on player to lift standards in training and as a locker room guy is fine.

 

[jas88]

whats the retirement camp for?

 

[mkxx]

So many more deserving than Leckie at CM. I'd be fuming if he comes out of the blue and sidelines Robertson, Balard, Devlin or others. A train on player to lift standards in training and as a locker room guy is fine.

So Leckie can't play as a winger anymore? He used to be good at it

 

[Kitwally]

I get the angst with Leckie, and it would be a shame if a young player misses out, but he played at the highest level, has never let Australia down, and I still have a lot of respect for him.

 

[Quicky]

So Leckie can't play as a winger anymore? He used to be good at it

Leckie could it's just not where he's playing now. RF would make more sense to me than CM except we have better RF's than him. RWB makes the most sense to me.

 

[verrelli]

Aziz Behich has not taken a penalty for Melbourne City altogether this year and almost certainly should not be one of our penalty takers at the World Cup.

Behich scored a penalty for Melbourne City against Auckland on the weekend.

 

[erogenouszone]

View attachment 6703

Borello in the Socceroos. LOL, is he going to be washing the bibs or something?

 

[Quicky]

Borello in the Socceroos. LOL, is he going to be washing the bibs or something?

He was an impact sub of choice for Popovic with 5 sub appearances. I think we need to hope he isn't in the 26-man squad.

 

[erogenouszone]

He was an impact sub of choice for Popovic with 5 sub appearances. I think we need to hope he isn't in the 26-man squad.

He's scored 4 goals all season in a last placed side. I mean I'm genuinely baffled that he's even in the train on squad.

 

[booney52]

Leckie has been a top player for the Socceroos but I don't know that his body is up to doing the training camp and intra squad practice games.He,Caceres,Borrello,Matthews and Agostino will provide good opposition for the more favoured players in these practice games.
Okon sounds a lock following Popa's comments

 

[DandyCasey]

So many more deserving than Leckie at CM. I'd be fuming if he comes out of the blue and sidelines Robertson, Balard, Devlin or others. A train on player to lift standards in training and as a locker room guy is fine.

No disrespect to a younger Leckie but Popa has made a head scratching selection based off one good A-league performance before (Al Hassan Toure), and this only makes sense to me if Popa is worried about Irvine carrying an injury.

 

[Quicky]

He's scored 4 goals all season in a last placed side. I mean I'm genuinely baffled that he's even in the train on squad.

I know. It's stupid.

 

[mkxx]

Behich scored a penalty for Melbourne City against Auckland on the weekend.

But he missed the pen shootout in AFC Champions league elite

 

[mkxx]

Leckie has been a top player for the Socceroos but I don't know that his body is up to doing the training camp and intra squad practice games.He,Caceres,Borrello,Matthews and Agostino will provide good opposition for the more favoured players in these practice games.
Okon sounds a lock following Popa's comments

But when Okon playing against a good opposition like Colombia he got outplayed badly and looked a liability in the midfield.

 

[mkxx]

He's scored 4 goals all season in a last placed side. I mean I'm genuinely baffled that he's even in the train on squad.

I ve been watching WSW this season and Borrello has been frustrating.
He got many chances to score each games and 95% would miss. His decision making has been pretty bad too.

Also, Duke (anything with his foot he won't score but in the air is okay) and Caceres shouldn't be near the training camp. Leckie and Craig Goodwin if fit maybe useful to the team.

 

[erogenouszone]

I ve been watching WSW this season and Borrello has been frustrating.
He got many chances to score each games and 95% would miss. His decision making has been pretty bad too.

Also, Duke (anything with his foot he won't score but in the air is okay) and Caceres shouldn't be near the training camp. Leckie and Craig Goodwin if fit maybe useful to the team.

I'd have Duke in the squad, he flings his body at anything in the air in the box and the way we play with alot of crosses in general he comes in handy. I've been watching him ever sense he started Macarthur mid season and has impressed, he really wants to go.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Behich scored a penalty for Melbourne City against Auckland on the weekend.

Aziz Behich has not taken a penalty for Melbourne City in regulation time this season and is likely only going to be taking penalties for the Socceroos during the knockout stage of the World Cup should our matches go to penalties.