2026 World Cup Squad

[onedaywinners...]

The system has its merits and I think more than occasional attacking release can see goals scored a then defence.

Schwarzer
Emerton
Sainsbury
Souttar
Neill
Chipperfield
Robertson
Grella
Bresciano
Viduka
Kewell

Alex Robertson??? The guy who's got 3 caps and the best thing he's done (YET) in green and gold is get in the face of Ecuador on debut?

Love the rest of the XI and honestly I think it matches mine, I would prob just swap out Robertson for this bald bloke called Aaron.

Might pip Grella with Jedinak as I'd prob give him the arm band.

 

[patjennings]

Kewell - Cahill - Bresciano
Jedinak - Mooy
Bos ----------------------------------- Emerton
Circati - Souttar - Neill
Ryan
​

Got to agree with this one in my recent memory. Loved the 1974 guys but the memories just aren't as strong.

 

[Quicky]

Got to agree with this one in my recent memory. Loved the 1974 guys but the memories just aren't as strong.

I can't speak to those guys beyond what I've read. They feel very familiar though having read Shiela's, Wogs and Poofters. That book was good at telling those stories.

 

[JS96]

Alex Robertson??? The guy who's got 3 caps and the best thing he's done (YET) in green and gold is get in the face of Ecuador on debut?

Love the rest of the XI and honestly I think it matches mine, I would prob just swap out Robertson for this bald bloke called Aaron.

Might pip Grella with Jedinak as I'd prob give him the arm band.

I guess I added him to have some present day players.

 

[booney52]

I was in my early twenties for the 1974 WC and had seen the players in that squad play many times.They were semi professionals playing against full time pros in that tournament.Much as I love them none would make JS96's XI.Ray Baartz who missed the squad through a life threatening injury would be the closest.

 

[JS96]

I was in my early twenties for the 1974 WC and had seen the players in that squad play many times.They were semi professionals playing against full time pros in that tournament.Much as I love them none would make JS96's XI.Ray Baartz who missed the squad through a life threatening injury would be the closest.

Always interesting to see the 74 footage. We could've had our first ever scorer there.

 

[jas88]

AI seems to want to play irankunda at WB lol
Based on Tony Popovic’s established 3-4-2-1 formation and the player form data for the 2025–26 season, here is a projected 23-player squad and starting XI for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Australia's 23-Player World Cup Squad​

• Goalkeepers (3): Maty Ryan (Levante UD) (C), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City).
• Defenders (7): Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kye Rowles (D.C. United), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Milos Degenek (APOEL FC), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids).
• Midfielders (8): Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Aiden O'Neill (NYCFC), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Lewis Miller (Hibernian).
• Forwards (5): Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Mitchell Duke (Macarthur FC), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).

---

Starting XI: 3-4-2-1 Formation​

Popovic’s system relies on a sturdy back three and highly athletic wing-backs to provide the width.

GK	Maty Ryan	The veteran leader and captain.
RCB	Alessandro Circati	High-ceiling Serie A experience.
CB	Harry Souttar	Aerial dominance in the heart of the defense.
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Natural left-footer for better ball progression.
RWB	Nestory Irankunda	Used as an explosive "chaos" wing-back.
CM	Jackson Irvine	The tireless engine room and box-to-box presence.
CM	Aiden O'Neill	Defensive stability and screen for the back three.
LWB	Jordan Bos	Constant overlapping threat on the left.
RAM	Ajdin Hrustic	Primary creative playmaker in the half-spaces.
LAM	Riley McGree	Links the midfield and attack with technical quality.
ST	Mitchell Duke	Tactical target man for pressing and physical presence.

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Notes

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Tactical Analysis​

• Defensive Solidification: Souttar and Burgess provide elite height for set-pieces, while Circati offers mobility to cover Irankunda’s attacking runs.
• The "Chaos" Wings: By starting Irankunda and Bos as wing-backs, Popovic forces opponents to defend wide, which opens up the "box" midfield for Hrustic and McGree.
• Experience vs. Youth: Maty Ryan and Mitch Duke provide the veteran core needed for tournament football, while Lucas Herrington acts as the high-upside backup for the defensive line.

 

[JS96]

AI seems to want to play irankunda at WB lol
Based on Tony Popovic’s established 3-4-2-1 formation and the player form data for the 2025–26 season, here is a projected 23-player squad and starting XI for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Australia's 23-Player World Cup Squad​

• Goalkeepers (3): Maty Ryan (Levante UD) (C), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City).
• Defenders (7): Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kye Rowles (D.C. United), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Milos Degenek (APOEL FC), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids).
• Midfielders (8): Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Aiden O'Neill (NYCFC), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Lewis Miller (Hibernian).
• Forwards (5): Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Mitchell Duke (Macarthur FC), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).

---

Starting XI: 3-4-2-1 Formation​

Popovic’s system relies on a sturdy back three and highly athletic wing-backs to provide the width.

GK	Maty Ryan	The veteran leader and captain.
RCB	Alessandro Circati	High-ceiling Serie A experience.
CB	Harry Souttar	Aerial dominance in the heart of the defense.
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Natural left-footer for better ball progression.
RWB	Nestory Irankunda	Used as an explosive "chaos" wing-back.
CM	Jackson Irvine	The tireless engine room and box-to-box presence.
CM	Aiden O'Neill	Defensive stability and screen for the back three.
LWB	Jordan Bos	Constant overlapping threat on the left.
RAM	Ajdin Hrustic	Primary creative playmaker in the half-spaces.
LAM	Riley McGree	Links the midfield and attack with technical quality.
ST	Mitchell Duke	Tactical target man for pressing and physical presence.

[th]
Position

[/th][th]
Player

[/th][th]
Notes

[/th]

---

Tactical Analysis​

• Defensive Solidification: Souttar and Burgess provide elite height for set-pieces, while Circati offers mobility to cover Irankunda’s attacking runs.
• The "Chaos" Wings: By starting Irankunda and Bos as wing-backs, Popovic forces opponents to defend wide, which opens up the "box" midfield for Hrustic and McGree.
• Experience vs. Youth: Maty Ryan and Mitch Duke provide the veteran core needed for tournament football, while Lucas Herrington acts as the high-upside backup for the defensive line.

I'm worried Turkey might be reading this

 

[patjennings]

23 man squad - not 26. Lewis Miller with a miracle recovery as well.

 

[JS96]

Popovic on Chatgpt 'give me 5 ways to slaughter a Turkey'

 

[HonestSpursFan]

AI seems to want to play irankunda at WB lol
Based on Tony Popovic’s established 3-4-2-1 formation and the player form data for the 2025–26 season, here is a projected 23-player squad and starting XI for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Australia's 23-Player World Cup Squad​

• Goalkeepers (3): Maty Ryan (Levante UD) (C), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City).
• Defenders (7): Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kye Rowles (D.C. United), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Milos Degenek (APOEL FC), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids).
• Midfielders (8): Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Aiden O'Neill (NYCFC), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Lewis Miller (Hibernian).
• Forwards (5): Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Mitchell Duke (Macarthur FC), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).

---

Starting XI: 3-4-2-1 Formation​

Popovic’s system relies on a sturdy back three and highly athletic wing-backs to provide the width.

GK	Maty Ryan	The veteran leader and captain.
RCB	Alessandro Circati	High-ceiling Serie A experience.
CB	Harry Souttar	Aerial dominance in the heart of the defense.
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Natural left-footer for better ball progression.
RWB	Nestory Irankunda	Used as an explosive "chaos" wing-back.
CM	Jackson Irvine	The tireless engine room and box-to-box presence.
CM	Aiden O'Neill	Defensive stability and screen for the back three.
LWB	Jordan Bos	Constant overlapping threat on the left.
RAM	Ajdin Hrustic	Primary creative playmaker in the half-spaces.
LAM	Riley McGree	Links the midfield and attack with technical quality.
ST	Mitchell Duke	Tactical target man for pressing and physical presence.

[th]
Position

[/th][th]
Player

[/th][th]
Notes

[/th]

---

Tactical Analysis​

• Defensive Solidification: Souttar and Burgess provide elite height for set-pieces, while Circati offers mobility to cover Irankunda’s attacking runs.
• The "Chaos" Wings: By starting Irankunda and Bos as wing-backs, Popovic forces opponents to defend wide, which opens up the "box" midfield for Hrustic and McGree.
• Experience vs. Youth: Maty Ryan and Mitch Duke provide the veteran core needed for tournament football, while Lucas Herrington acts as the high-upside backup for the defensive line.

Mitch Duke over Mo Touré in the big 26?