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2026 World Cup Squad

tsf said:
The more I think of it the more the volpato over Boyle thing is quite shit

It would be interesting to get teammates insights here.
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I'd genuinely think that, as professional footballers, they would understand that it shouldn't be emotion or vibes based, whoever is best gets selected. Boyle hasn't fit for the Roo's for a bit now
 
Borello should not have been there in camp.

But we have included Beach, Behich, Vellupillay and Leckie from what has basically been relatively poor Melbourne sides and Okon-Englster from Sydney FC.

All could be argued have better options OS playing well at a higher level as well as a number of better options playing for the Jets. It really looks like Football Australia has said you need to pick as many ALM players as possible from our big markets.

I still think the last 3 after the traditional 23 should be 'x-factor players'. People that don't necessarily fit our system but to be used when our system is not working.
 
A long time Socceroos tragic and 1st comment from a fan . We have a country with over 50% of the population that are eligible for another country and that is really unusual , there's probably not another place in the world like that and we just have to accept it . I would much rather Volpato's approach than others .
He's chosen Australia , I fully support him and so should everybody IMHO .
 
Couch Potato said:
A long time Socceroos tragic and 1st comment from a fan . We have a country with over 50% of the population that are eligible for another country and that is really unusual , there's probably not another place in the world like that and we just have to accept it . I would much rather Volpato's approach than others .
He's chosen Australia , I fully support him and so should everybody IMHO .
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Welcome to the forum.
 
Barca4life said:
Which is why they have to turn a new page for the Asian Cup and play a younger generation, even it means not winning the Asian Cup it would put us in great stead going into the World Cup in 2030.
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The Asian Cup is the natural end of this cycle. Sure some of the older players in this squad won't be there, but the focus should always be on winning the Asian Cup. It's the only major trophy we have a chance of winning. We should be picking the best available squad for this.
 
Couch Potato said:
A long time Socceroos tragic and 1st comment from a fan . We have a country with over 50% of the population that are eligible for another country and that is really unusual , there's probably not another place in the world like that and we just have to accept it . I would much rather Volpato's approach than others .
He's chosen Australia , I fully support him and so should everybody IMHO .
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Welcome to the forum, CP,
 
I think now that squad has been picked & Poppa (like him or not or his decisions) is our manager & we have to back him.

With no Mooy or Rogic to pick from, we really do lack a quality creative midfielder to pick, so I think Poppa has picked a very workmanlike midfield, I would've liked Alex Robertson, but our best creative midfielder from League one was not going to scare many teams.
All other line ball misses are squadies only anyway.
I maybe would have liked a couple of young bolters for experience like Bennie or young Adams from Newcastle.
 
jimshady said:
I'd genuinely think that, as professional footballers, they would understand that it shouldn't be emotion or vibes based, whoever is best gets selected. Boyle hasn't fit for the Roo's for a bit now
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One could also argue that as professionals they also adhere to team protocols etc.

You don’t build a team from mercenaries. A team devoid largely of skill like we are would demand just as much of a team comraderie and work ethic.

All I am saying is it could have an effect on team psychology

Let’s see if it does
 
Alex M said:
The Asian Cup is the natural end of this cycle. Sure some of the older players in this squad won't be there, but the focus should always be on winning the Asian Cup. It's the only major trophy we have a chance of winning. We should be picking the best available squad for this.
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In the end, a younger squad is our best squad and that's proven by this World Cup squad. There are only a few players who are 30+ that are actually within the rotation.

12/26 players are born between 2000-2008 and 7-8 of those players are probable starters. A further 8 players are born between 1995-2000 with only 6 players being born between 1990-1994.

The reality is the younger players are taking over this team quickly but that's happening for every footballing country in the world.
 
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verrelli said:
I do very much see it as Volpato over Boyle in that if Volpato didn't change his allegiance, Boyle would still be in the squad.
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If Irankunda didn't exist then Boyle would be in this squad...

The point is, Volpato wants to play for Australia and is good enough to make the squad automatically, that isn't in question. Boyle still had every chance to make the squad. He isn't exactly fighting the toughest competition on the wings. An injury prone, aging Leckie with no minutes in his legs, a out of club-form Velupillay and a inconsistent Mabil.

Boyle should've made the squad but the issue isn't that Volpato exists. It's that he couldn't prove to Popa that he should make it over the others. We will find out later anyways, maybe he was injured.

Another point, if Volpato doesn't declare for Aus BUT McGree doesn't get injured, does Boyle still not go?
 
Barca4life said:
I like to see him start too, agree let's see what he is like and how functions into the team.

Apparently he's more of a target man, pressing forward type too so more in the mould of Duke although much more younger.
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Machida Zelvia press hard, Tete can cover ground quickly and be a big body to cover passing lanes, he can be a bit clumsy in the the tackle though. If he stays with MZ I think he will improve his defensive game. Also I believe he could play CF or W/AM in Popa's system, Toure and Irankunda much better at running channels.
 
tsf said:
One could also argue that as professionals they also adhere to team protocols etc.

You don’t build a team from mercenaries. A team devoid largely of skill like we are would demand just as much of a team comraderie and work ethic.

All I am saying is it could have an effect on team psychology

Let’s see if it does
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You do realise that Tim Cahill almost played for Ireland. Didn't seem to affect the team psychology.
 
Couch Potato said:
A long time Socceroos tragic and 1st comment from a fan . We have a country with over 50% of the population that are eligible for another country and that is really unusual , there's probably not another place in the world like that and we just have to accept it . I would much rather Volpato's approach than others .
He's chosen Australia , I fully support him and so should everybody IMHO .
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum!
 
patjennings said:
You do realise that Tim Cahill almost played for Ireland. Didn't seem to affect the team psychology.
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Almost is a stretch. They reached out to him, he considered it but FIFA rejected it. FIFA then changed their rules in 2003 and he picked the Socceroos just before signing for Everton (and the Everton website referred to him as an Aussie).

Pretty nostalgic to go and look back at that announcement. No social media back then and the modern internet was less than 10 years old.

CAHILL SIGNS IN – News Archive – News – evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club

evertonfc.com
web.archive.org web.archive.org
 
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