2026 World Cup Squad

[Pub League Champion]

We also have Yazbek injured, who would be a strong starting candidate.

I’ve watched him closely for the Socceroos and he’s a good two-way player, who has put in consistently good performances in the MLS.

 

[grazorblade]

Didn't he score the winner in his debut?

Very solid tackler and forward passer in all his NT games.

Has been occasional captain of NAC albeit in a relegation season - but relegated sides frequently have players too good to go down with the rest of the ship.

Yeah he seemed to struggle for form when i watched him this season compared to last season

He was very good against new zealand in both games but iirc struggled compared to midfield rivals against canada and usa. His club form and his last two internationals probably cost him

We have a lot of midfielders that are similar quality but with different pros and cons as they all play at a lower level than any other part of the pitch bar rwb. Probably it comes down to who compliments irvine best amongst a half dozen similar quality players

 

[JS96]

Can't believe I forgot Yazbek. Technically the best there. Tidy on the ball.

 

[Bbouy]

Segecic cant play cm in a 353, he is a forward. Balard is weaker than any of those players, nisbet playing that deep in this system would be too big a risk and has spent 2 years playing at a low level. Robertsons ommission was a surprise, at least as a change up he brings something different

Robertson was omitted due to his "fitness". Popa always talked in press-conference that Robertson didn't train-well, that's not technically but with his fitness. But idk what fitness and conditioning means to Popa because Robertson is able to play 90 minutes twice a week for his club but suddenly with the Socceroos, he isn't fit. What Popa really means, is the way he sets up, Robertson isn't a physical first player, instead being a technical first player.

 

[JS96]

Robertson was omitted due to his "fitness". Popa always talked in press-conference that Robertson didn't train-well, that's not technically but with his fitness. But idk what fitness and conditioning means to Popa because Robertson is able to play 90 minutes twice a week for his club but suddenly with the Socceroos, he isn't fit. What Popa really means, is the way he sets up, Robertson isn't a physical first player, instead being a technical first player.

If Popovic were an army General, he'd want his aeroplanes to be tanks.

So he's bothered by perceived lack of physicality in Robertson and Balard, but gladly chose Yazbek, Teague, Volpato and others.

O'Neill has been trotting around like a sick mule for weeks and he wants to talk about physical?

 

[Quicky]

Can't believe I forgot Yazbek. Technically the best there. Tidy on the ball.

The one I wish we had fit is Luongo. He was a starter at Millwall before the knee.

 

[highkick05]

Robertson was omitted due to his "fitness". Popa always talked in press-conference that Robertson didn't train-well, that's not technically but with his fitness. But idk what fitness and conditioning means to Popa because Robertson is able to play 90 minutes twice a week for his club but suddenly with the Socceroos, he isn't fit. What Popa really means, is the way he sets up, Robertson isn't a physical first player, instead being a technical first player.

Can't be just about fitness. I'd be happy if Leckie played 20 minutes and actually did something.
But I'm 110% confident he could play 70 minutes and do Jack shit if you played him up front.
He just doesn't have the speed or quickness he used to after hamstring tear in 2023.
And that looks to be an ongoing issue. You can see it every time he plays (hip and hamstring) slowing him down.
If he ran around like Behich then yay but no

 

[grazorblade]

Robertson was omitted due to his "fitness". Popa always talked in press-conference that Robertson didn't train-well, that's not technically but with his fitness. But idk what fitness and conditioning means to Popa because Robertson is able to play 90 minutes twice a week for his club but suddenly with the Socceroos, he isn't fit. What Popa really means, is the way he sets up, Robertson isn't a physical first player, instead being a technical first player.

Interesting, do you have a link?