2026 World Cup Squad

[NicCarBel]

View attachment 7137

Three from here won't make it. Beach will be one. One of Geria and Degenek. I'd say raffle it between Borello, Velupillay, Mabil. Leckie is so lucky.

I'm frustrated to say the least. Knew it was coming with Popovic who's a regressive and negative manager. We should have had Triantis, Segecic, Robertson, Sapsford, Bennie in there if we had someone decent to lead and manage the team. Some danger in midfield and depth in attack. Popovic has cooked it.

Yep if that's the last of the prelim squad, I think the 3 cut will be Beach, Geria (or Degenek - but most likely Geria), and one of the Forward 9 (RW, LW, ST)

 

[scooterw]

Staggered that Borrello is still in the training camp.... and like everyone else, really disappointed in the Robertson omission. Perhaps Devlin really showed something in training that got Popa all excited... I suspect it was him that pipped Robertson.

With who's left, it does scare me a little that Popa will start the Turkey game with a Boyle - Borrello - Vellupellay front 3..... would be the stuff of nightmares.

 

[Decentric]

No Robertson. Get fucked Poppa you clown.

Despite being very good on the ball, from what I’ve recorded, his ball winning, and ability to break up attacks is probably way behind his ball playing ATM.

As the off the ball play improves as he gains more experience, he could in all likelihood become a Socceroo starter not too long after the WC.

 

[Keeper66]

Despite being very good on the ball, from what I’ve recorded, his ball winning, and ability to break up attacks is probably way behind his ball playing ATM.

As the off the ball play improves as he gains more experience, he could in all likelihood become a Socceroo starter not too long after the WC.

It's being good on the ball which should be the reason for him being in the squad. As I've said elsewhere, I could see him being in one of the AM roles especially with McGree out.

 

[Bbouy]

Popa-ball Starting XI against Turkey.

1. Beach
2. Geria
3. Burgess
4. Trewin
5. Degenek
6. Rowles
7. Leckie
8. O'Neill
9. Hrustic
10. Boyle
11. Borello

It's almost guaranteed.

 

[scooterw]

Popa-ball Starting XI against Turkey.

1. Beach
2. Geria
3. Burgess
4. Trewin
5. Degenek
6. Rowles
7. Leckie
8. O'Neill
9. Hrustic
10. Boyle
11. Borello

It's almost guaranteed.

When we're 3 nil down in the 76th minute against Turkey we'll finally see some bold substitutions made in Mabil coming on for Borello, Velluppillay for Hrustic and Behich for Rowles

 

[Pasquali]

While everyone is arguing about the squad and obvious exclusions, I really do believe the world cup has come around 2 years too early.

 

[JS96]

I don't understand the exclusion of Robertson and Bennie at this stage of the Training Camp. Seems a waste to bring them in and then discard them now.

Popovic enjoys putting people in their place. Most omissions were expected. How Borrello has survived thus far I'll never know.

 

[JS96]

When we're 3 nil down in the 76th minute against Turkey we'll finally see some bold substitutions made in Mabil coming on for Borello, Velluppillay for Hrustic and Behich for Rowles

Mabil did well on his comeback. He's going to have lots of touches so there will be some bad amongst them. He's still a slippery character. He's got unfinished business from the last world cup too.

 

[tsf]

People are saying this squad sucks, but who else would change it heaps? Our talent pool is what is not great.

Mcgree was injured so what can we do....

Robertson...maybe....but who else we have?

 

[FeedTheBrox]

if you wanna look at it in a positive way, there are so many opinions on who should be in and who should be out.

In previous world cups, the top 24-25 basically picks itself, and we argue over the last 1-2 selections.

While we don't have the quality to take on the best teams in the world at this point, I would suggest we have far more depth than what we've ever had.

 

[Cunningstunt]

While everyone is arguing about the squad and obvious exclusions, I really do believe the world cup has come around 2 years too early.

We should be setup for the next two cycles with the core of this team. Even in two years these guys won't be near their peak.

 

[patjennings]

People are saying this squad sucks, but who else would change it heaps? Our talent pool is what is not great.

Mcgree was injured so what can we do....

Robertson...maybe....but who else we have?

I think the keepers, backs and some of the mids are fairly agreed upon. It's what we do when we need to change it up when we are chasing a result. There is no 'in case of emergency break glass' players that will offer something different than we already have - just replacements at a lower level.

 

[tsf]

I think the keepers, backs and some of the mids are fairly agreed upon. It's what we do when we need to change it up when we are chasing a result. There is no 'in case of emergency break glass' players that will offer something different than we already have - just replacements at a lower level.

Sydney keeper above beech is one that couldve been done.

Beech been average since his call up

 

[grazorblade]

Surprised both back up rwbs are gone

Robbo gone is a disappointment too. If u are chasing a game need something different in midfield and a robbo okon midfield would bring a lot of dynamism

I guess oniell still to arrive?

 

[JS96]

People are saying this squad sucks, but who else would change it heaps? Our talent pool is what is not great.

Mcgree was injured so what can we do....

Robertson...maybe....but who else we have?

I think it's more the poorer midfielders have been chosen and the squad looks different or a bit worse without Robertson, Goodwin or.... Yeah, that's pretty much it.

Our eyes probably still aren't used to seeing Toure nailed on but he's the best option in years. We got Souttar back, Bos, Irankunda and Toure. Still refreshing.

 

[JS96]

if you wanna look at it in a positive way, there are so many opinions on who should be in and who should be out.

In previous world cups, the top 24-25 basically picks itself, and we argue over the last 1-2 selections.

While we don't have the quality to take on the best teams in the world at this point, I would suggest we have far more depth than what we've ever had.

Once the dust settles we'll see this is just who Popovic was always going to pick.

Some of the omissions are disappointing but many were expected. I feel we've been led on by some of them because there's that one extra bit of refreshing we're looking for on some of the deadwood. It'll be clearer next cycle.

 

[JS96]

Popovic will thank those who came and just say they were looking for something different when asked why they were dropped. Easy answer.

 

[socceroosmad]

Episode 3 of the ESPN Diaries

Can't watch this it's too depressing. Dreams of McGree feeding Irankunda to smash USA are gone.

 

[Quicky]

Despite being very good on the ball, from what I’ve recorded, his ball winning, and ability to break up attacks is probably way behind his ball playing ATM.

As the off the ball play improves as he gains more experience, he could in all likelihood become a Socceroo starter not too long after the WC.

Robertson has not been given enough time to make a judgement on his playing qualities for the National Team.