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2026 World Cup Squad

JS96 said:
Oh so that's why Brattan got picked. I've seen Balard get stuck in as well.

If Devlin gets picked I'll be more relaxed about Balard but I'd like them both.
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Brattan fits the profile poppa was looking for according to @scout_aussie someone who covers irvines weaknesses by being able to progress the ball and win a lot of turnovers

Progresses the ball well and gemerates high number of turnovers - 5 a game the season he was picked

I guess like alhassan toure he had the profile but wasnt a high enough level?
 
grazorblade said:
I dont see how mabil makes the world cup

Their last match is in 2 weeks and then they have playoffs after that
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The 26 is bloody tight now. Different type of player but I'd have Goodwin in just before him.

I'm resigned to the fact that Boyle is going. Velupillay is handy. I can't really complain about anyone but I'd Goodwin and Mabil in if they can be squeezed in. Mabil is still handy and was better than Boyle in the last window.
 
grazorblade said:
Brattan fits the profile poppa was looking for according to @scout_aussie someone who covers irvines weaknesses by being able to progress the ball and win a lot of turnovers

Progresses the ball well and gemerates high number of turnovers - 5 a game the season he was picked

I guess like alhassan toure he had the profile but wasnt a high enough level?
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That's a right assessment of Al Hasan and explains D'Agostino too. I coaches want played who suit their system but it's hardly a square leg to choose our ballers and have them tweak their game.

If that's the case then Robertson is stuffed.
 
JS96 said:
That's a right assessment of Al Hasan and explains D'Agostino too. I coaches want played who suit their system but it's hardly a square leg to choose our ballers and have them tweak their game.

If that's the case then Robertson is stuffed.
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robertson paired well with okon mind you and would be good if chasing a game. Can also play in the half space as an inside forward but probably not first choice

but definitely not a partner for irvine
 
O'Neill was going to be invited regardless and given up until the very last minute.

I think this confirms Yazbek won't make it. Matthews is a confirmed injury.

I'll have to have a look at updating the Wikipedia myself and see if it's saved and permitted as all these invites are saved for 12 months and makes for a good overview of depth.
 
grazorblade said:
On Brattan, in the game v Japan I actually thought he played quite well on replay (thought he was invisible live)

Poppa clearly saw something he didn't like to hook him and never call him up again.

He has declined a lot this season
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I saw one of two surprisingly good bits and a lot of first time hits to nothing.

I was almost content as he'd started from such a low base with last minute match preparation and his experience was enough to survive a half of Japan away.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
Surprised that Aiden O'Neill has managed to make it into the Socceroos pre-camp despite still being injured but it should ideally mean he'll be right ahead of our World Cup campaign getting underway.
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Maybe - or it could mean they want to make an assessment after a bit of pressure before the final 26.
 
Looking at who has been picked for camp I can see around 18 nailed on with Beach v Gauci an uncertainty. Then you have Ryan, McGree and Herrington that will be picked. So the rest are competing (along with others that may be picked) for 5 spots.

BTW I don't have O'Neill as a nailed on. With Irvine carrying an injury as well I can't see two CM under injury clouds being picked. Popovic will be looking at them both hard but at the moment I think Irvine likely and O'Neill less so.
 
JS96 said:
I wish someone would update the wiki with all the camp invites.

I think that's it for Sapsford or Jack Iredale. Eventually we've go to stop brining every possible person in and narrow things down.
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These are who I've tracked under Popovic prior to the World Cup camp.

Leonard and Bennie are in for the first time.

If Balard misses that would be a big surprise but it's looking iffy now. It also probably suggests O'Neill is expected to be ok?

AUSTRALIA UNDER POPPA:

Player (game played) (started-subbed on)

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)
[ ] Devenish-Meares (training)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale
[ ] Bonetig (training)
[ ] Esposito (training)

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (2) (0-2)
[ ] Gersbach (training)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (0-1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2-0)
 
DandyCasey said:
Feeling O'Neill and Irvine will still be Popas preferred starting midfielders (a combination that doesn't excite me), also feel that Leckie's chances of making the 26 increase exponentially if Popa isn't confident of managing the Irvine injury.
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O'Neill also injured - I just can't see him carrying two compromised CMs into the 26 and I think Irvine wins there. Also looking at those forwards picking Leckie in front of most of them considering he can cover CM becomes a bit of a no brainer

I'd pick him considering CM cover ahead of Stamatelopoulos, Borello, Yengi (injuries), Taggart, Botic, D'Agostino and Juric.
 
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