No - the Jets have encroached - they need to take it again. Oh.. he's choked. Marienrs break away and score at the other end. Auckland are premiers!!

Doesn't need to be AI - any US analyst would have no clue about us.

The only confederations allowed in 2038 at this stage are CONCACAF and OFC. TBH OFC should be taking FIFA to the Court of Arbitration in Sport. They have no chance against CONCACAF and they will never get a rotation. The every growing requirements mean that FIFA is effectively engineering a...

Just on Saudi Arabia - very strong rumours they will drop to 10 to 12 stadiums.

That Elche win didn't help

Eerste consistently ranked in the 25th to 35th best league - A- League men 45th - 55th. Maybe Popa's system is the problem.

Not all like for like but Balard Devlin Irvine Nisbet McGree Robertson Metcalfe Baccus

i'd love to see this for all the squad contenders. it certainly shows Scicluna as a more complete player

That's a political call when he is in Melbourne

He's South Sydney first - Mariners second - his wife told him.

Really?? Did you have to go there.

I can see that as a stretch - but not with the squads being talked about - too samey.

Socceroos: Did we produce a standout attacker in the top 5 leagues of the world? Yes. How many players do we have playing regularly in the big 5? 5 How many playing in top 2nd tier clubs like Celtic, Feyenoord, Brugge etc? 12 How far did we get in the 2026 world cup? R32 How far did we...

Sorry - I know it would be tough on him - but to me he is not ready. He shows a lot - but he also has a lot to learn. Vugari tweeted he was all class. What I saw was a player that was embarrassed by a young player in Rose a few times early, missing a long range shot in true Ruben Z style and...

3 goals in 43 minutes

I just watched the last Suited and Booted episode. They had only 9 locks (only 1 in midfield) for the WC squad. I would say 10 because I'm sure Izzo is on the plane (not that he suits the way we want to play). I just find it strange that everyone is coming out with their expected Socceroo. If...

I didn't pick the names - but that said few analysts have him as a starter - more as an impact player. As an NT player since July 2023 he has 2 goals and 2 assists.

This should be released!!!

I would love to see Balard and Nisbet join Robertson at Cardiff City assuming they make the Championship. A socceroo midfield training and playing together week in - week out.

And i would argue be the defensive RWB cover for Italiano and will almost certainly be playing in a higher league next season.

He absolutely will - but let him do it first. If he plays to the teams strengths and they do well he may even be a shot for the Crystal Palace job.

I noted to AI your list of players and then asked it to do a position by position comparison expecting to see the US come out on top. I rate the Socceroos and think the US is too individualistic. i.e. I thought we had a better team and they had better players. This is what I got. Note - AI...

And that is why Stokes supported Angus.

it was more aimed at Mono about Puskas. Nisbet of course is not in the same conversation - just pointing out that people can get past the height with some players

While your mate Puskas is sometimes listed as taller - he was quite short as well - only 3 inches taller than Nisbet and shorter than Messi. Player Height (m) Height (ft/in) Lionel Messi 1.70 m 5' 7" Ferenc Puskás 1.68 m 5' 6" Diego Maradona 1.65 m 5' 5" Josh Nisbet...

A lot of injuries and a lot of people not getting game time. I think you have to take Herrington and Italiano especially with Miller injured. Not sure of the others. Trewin and Okon too early and I don't think they are better Nisbet has started 37 out of 37 games and played 97% of minutes...

I actually think that Australia with the lack of Football media is not game to ask a real question. The only ones left are gushers like Tara and Popa's team mates. There is little scrutiny now As to previous managers Arnold's first tenure was a disaster. And we took a while to get Pim who I...

Basically ELO is a more rigorous ranking system than FIFA rankings. It is generally considered the better predictor than FIFA rankings. And the Americans soccer community hate that the soccer team is the last one to get any money.

With all due respect - the problem is two fold. Popa talks a big game and can put on a decent first XI or even XV - (which he usually brings off the bench) but those other 10 or 11 players offer nothing different. What is the use of having 5 subs when you offer nothing different but more of the...

That wasn't my point. They pay millions for aging DPs but an 18 year old defender from australia can come in and star immediately. No settling in - just dominating from the beginning. The AM and strikers are paid well - but many of the rest make better money in the lower leagues. Years ago they...

To be quite honest the MLS is not what I want to base anything on.It is an entertainment league - it doesn't develop players it is all about highlight reels and instagram likes. This is how a a nation of 340 million becomes an ELO ranked team of 41 (4th in CONCACAF) and dropping quickly.

If the AFC rules allow it and the FA rules stipulate it then bring it on!!!

Yengi looks unlikely with injury

I don't think Arena has to change allegiance.

Yep - listed him twice for a 27 man squad 🙄

Absolutely - many loved the 2015 Asian Cup but the 0 points at the World Cup in 2014 when Ange had no idea how to get out of a tough World Cup group was a vanity exercise that was using the World Cup as the pre-cursor. I'm saying use the Asian Cup as the beginning of the World cup cycle when the...

You watch what Japan does every 4 years. It works for them and they do okay at the Asian Cup and develop better squads for the World Cup.

My reasoning is more about refreshing the squad. I don't see a 31 year old (at the World cup) makes a 2030 World Cup as a 35 year old outfield player. Happy to see him there for the Asian Cup but we need to be blooding the Trewins and Matthews with a decent runway to 2030.

My squad ATM I have gone against my better judgement and picked Volpato. If he is to pick Australia this is the time it is most likely time with the demise of Italy. He would certainly make the 11 May 2026 (Provisional List): of between 35 and 55 players. If he chooses to remain with Italy then...

I think that was an agreement for the senior team because of the disparity of strengths.

I'd keep Ryan until the next wave are ready. Gauci and Beach leading the chasing pack.

I do have a certain anti- Victory bias - and I agree we will need a great man manager which he has proved to be. My bias is towards youth. The question I would have post World Cup to any prospective manager is what are your plans for Izzo, Behich, Burgess, Degenek, Irvine and Duke. If any of...

He just needs a minute at the World Cup - I would suggest he gets much more than that!!

Milligan or Montgomery, as I said the other day Muscat while he has been successful is usually with a squad of peak age players. Millsy and Monty were never afraid to blood youngsters.

The good thing about Turkiye, not negating they are a class team that will probably beat the rest of the group, is that yet are notoriously to start tournaments. Also, probably because of their absence for quite some time, they looked very. First up is probably the ideal time to play them.

I hate it - this says we are turning up to make the numbers. I can live with the keepers having seen Gauci against a high class team early this morning. Geria and Trewin don;t make my list (post world cup). O'Neil. Hrustic, Okon-Englster (post world cup) and maybe even Yazbek not make the cut ...

Give it to Milligan!!

TBH I loved Ange at Roar - i didn't enjoy 2014 World Cup. Realistically with that group we needed to be more pragmatic. I think he treated the World Cup as a training run for the Asian Cup. 0 points is still 0 points.

If I was any of teams I would be pretty confident of going through as either 1 or 2. Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Spain, Uruguay, France, Argentina, Portugal, Columbia, England, Croatia. The rest is a toss up for the other 15 spots including...

ELO Ranking Group A Team Elo Rank Mexico 20 South Korea 32 Czechia 40 South Africa 79 Group average Elo rank: 42.75 Group B Team Elo Rank Switzerland 16 Canada 25 Bosnia and Herzegovina 66 Qatar 95 Group average Elo rank: 50.5 (weakest group by average...

Really? An uninformed guy that talks about 6 loanees from QPR 1) Only 5 visa players allowed 2) Only 3 loanees allowed for each A league club 3) Only 2 loanees allowed from any club.

They should be.

He seems to be someone that can get good results - but his squads tend to be peak age players. Is he the right one for developing and motivating our youth? Would he still persist with older players in the NT set up?

I liked Alex's first XI and his frustration with the subs is exactly where I am. My frustration is with the subs - I don't like a lot of them. I want some that will come on and either continue the same sort of pressure or offer a different sort of challenge. Kuol i think is the chaos agent I...

I agree you about moving on some players after the World Cup - I'm also someone that wants to believe that Popovic is just hiding his grand plan for the World Cup (stupid I know) but I am interested to know who would you consider the right Australian candidates and OS candidate post Popovic.

I think he goes to the training camp and they make the call there. Popovic will want him and he will likely be first in camp as he is unlikely to play at club level this season. Big risk - but also a big reward. in reality I'd punt on Harry over Geria

I think the defenders will be Bos, Behich, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Rowles, Herrington, Degenek, Italiano.

Italy have the talent and compete well in other tournaments. They just seem to be panic merchants at the moment. they have the talent to stroll in every time.

Absolutely. At the moment I would have Behich at LWB with Bos at LW. If Farrell had not missed so much time and now playing out of position at WSW it would probably be him. When we play minnows Bos is fine but he does leave us open and against the top teams at a World cup that will be an issue.

TBH the player that looks most in form is Weston McKennie. Assuming Tyler Adams is fit he is likely to be Captain. FIFA has already said they will be tough on dissent (be careful Irankunda) but Richards and Pulisic are whingers that make Brattan and Jamieson look like choirboys. Then look at...

someone said they are on 10 play

dishwater is as well

Ryan Circati Souttar Burgess Metcalfe Luongo Irvine. Bos Kuol Volpato Arena

Again - that's a trap. each of opponents will bring 5000+ load and boisterous fans from home - plus expats. Active us support will probably be around 600. High ticket prices and corporates will make for an best tepid US support. Then you have the fact that by the time they play Paraguay the...

I'd be happy with one!!!

but none this year - we are in April

TBH in non friendly matches actual wins for the US are pretty sparse Against UEFA Last World Cup Win: The USMNT has not beaten a European team in the FIFA World Cup since 2002, when they defeated Portugal 3–2 in the group stage. Most Famous Competitive Win: One of the most notable victories...

Interesting H2H first tiebreaker - n/a GD - n/a GF - ??? who wins there

He has already had a spat with Poch (and they have not settled that greivance yet) and has 1 assist for club and country this calendar year.

To your point This from the NY Times - note they use FIFA Rankings - I find ELO rankings more predictive Turkiye, Paraguay, Australia, United States 23. United States FIFA ranking: 16 The co-hosts have been patchy under Mauricio Pochettino: hiring a blue-chip manager to guide them in their...

I agree @Decentric but I'll fall into the trap as well. And @Roar92_ I still have us second - just a different winner. Context first US competive games recently 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Runners-up Lost 2–1 to Mexico in the final. 2024–25 Nations League 4th Place Lost 1–0 to...

I didn't go as I was away - but I tend to sit at the 'penalty end' of Homebush maybe 15m in front of the big screen tending towards the active area. Always seemed quite reasonable cost for a Socceroos game to me. Public transport for me so either $0 if included with the ticket or $2.50 for a...

Time to play https://www.profootballnetwork.com/fifa-world-cup-simulator/

I just think it is real simple. When a player is in form pick him and play him in a real game. Don't stuff around. If a newbie is good enough to come to camp and accepts - play him. Don't BS saying you don't sell the shirt when you obviously do.

I'd struggle to go to an AFL game if they were only paying me that much :)

I agree we cant go with we way we are playing now, There are probably 13 or 14 players that Popovic is picking that can affect a match. We potentially have 26 - the best squad that we have had since 2006 where we only used a small amount of players anyway. But we need to figure out how we can...

You talking NZF surely. It was a serious question. I think the USA are false favourites. I am thinking Turkey tops the group.

Who are we behind?

still no

cant read it?

You don't have to sell the shirt. You just have to play form players.

Depends, Balard battling at NAC Breda prepares him better than Okon at Sydney. while Bos - while a defender is in reality is an attcking weapon that can get confidence playing in a big club.

https://www.betootaadvocate.com/azzurri-still-cursed-ever-since-robbing-us-of-a-world-cup-in-06/

Italy to draft Arnie to make sure they make the 2030 World Cup :) :) :)

They are definitely false favourites for topping the group.

Particularly CONCACAF.

And they still won with spider there.. who was he backing

The good thing is that people came to see Harry Dukes and Timmy - they weren't there to watch Grella, Culina and Popovic. They will come to see Irankunda, Bos and Toure - not Okon, Metcalfe and Geria. But that will only come when we see more of them.

He got monstered by Cameroon - It looked like size to me,