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2026 World Cup Squad

My squad for shits and giggs.

Two that could easily make the cut, currently not in.

Irvine a no for mine unless 100%.... with my thinking, not much, if any dropoff to our other mids.

Souttar, always worth the trip to the initial camp and easily gets in depending on match fitness/sharpness.

Starting lineup

-------------------------Ryan
------Trewin------Circati-------Herrington
--Italiano----Robertson---Scicluna----Bos
------------Irankunda---------Toure
------------------------Yengi

It's difficult as I don't think Popas formation gets the best out of our attacking strengths (he has admitted we have limited number of attacking mids for his system himself) but anyway Yengi to play a false 9, come deep often, hold the ball up and lay it off (his main job). Would rather a front two for the likes of Irankunda, Toure, Sapsford, Suto and Kuol.

Squad
1 Ryan
2 Izzo
3 Gauci
4 Rowles
5 Circati
6 Herrington
7 Burgess
8 Trewin
9 Degenek
10 Italiano
11 Bos
12 Stensness
13 Bennie
14 Robertson
15 O'Neill
16 Yazbek
17 Scicluna
18 Okon
19 McGree
20 Toure
21 T Yengi
22 Irankunda
23 Sapsford
24 Kuol
25 Suto
26 Overy
 
My squad for shits and giggs.

Two that could easily make the cut, currently not in.

Irvine a no for mine unless 100%.... with my thinking, not much, if any dropoff to our other mids.

Souttar, always worth the trip to the initial camp and easily gets in depending on match fitness/sharpness.

Starting lineup

-------------------------Ryan
------Trewin------Circati-------Herrington
--Italiano----Robertson---Scicluna----Bos
------------Irankunda---------Toure
------------------------Yengi

It's difficult as I don't think Popas formation gets the best out of our attacking strengths (he has admitted we have limited number of attacking mids for his system himself) but anyway Yengi to play a false 9, come deep often, hold the ball up and lay it off (his main job). Would rather a front two for the likes of Irankunda, Toure, Sapsford, Suto and Kuol.

Squad
1 Ryan
2 Izzo
3 Gauci
4 Rowles
5 Circati
6 Herrington
7 Burgess
8 Trewin
9 Degenek
10 Italiano
11 Bos
12 Stensness
13 Bennie
14 Robertson
15 O'Neill
16 Yazbek
17 Scicluna
18 Okon
19 McGree
20 Toure
21 T Yengi
22 Irankunda
23 Sapsford
24 Kuol
25 Suto
26 Overy
I don't think Aiden O'Neill will make the cut for the World Cup squad and if he were on the plane it would likely be as a differential option or injury cover. James Overy also may not make the playing list because he hasn't really been getting game time for the Manchester United under-21s this season and we have better options defensively.
 
I don't think Aiden O'Neill will make the cut for the World Cup squad and if he were on the plane it would likely be as a differential option or injury cover. James Overy also may not make the playing list because he hasn't really been getting game time for the Manchester United under-21s this season and we have better options defensively.
O'Neill is definitely on Popas plane if you take a look at his defensive stats.. I would prefer Trewin myself if Popa wants a defender as a 6. Haven't been tracking Overy's club situation but would rather over Behich and can cover RWB as well.
 
O'Neill is definitely on Popas plane if you take a look at his defensive stats..
Aiden O'Neill definitely running well in terms of defensive contributions this season but I think he'll be better off as a defensive midfielder rather than in the central midfield position he was in during the 2024 Asian Cup.
 
My squad for shits and giggs.

Two that could easily make the cut, currently not in.

Irvine a no for mine unless 100%.... with my thinking, not much, if any dropoff to our other mids.

Souttar, always worth the trip to the initial camp and easily gets in depending on match fitness/sharpness.

Starting lineup

-------------------------Ryan
------Trewin------Circati-------Herrington
--Italiano----Robertson---Scicluna----Bos
------------Irankunda---------Toure
------------------------Yengi

It's difficult as I don't think Popas formation gets the best out of our attacking strengths (he has admitted we have limited number of attacking mids for his system himself) but anyway Yengi to play a false 9, come deep often, hold the ball up and lay it off (his main job). Would rather a front two for the likes of Irankunda, Toure, Sapsford, Suto and Kuol.

Squad
1 Ryan
2 Izzo
3 Gauci
4 Rowles
5 Circati
6 Herrington
7 Burgess
8 Trewin
9 Degenek
10 Italiano
11 Bos
12 Stensness
13 Bennie
14 Robertson
15 O'Neill
16 Yazbek
17 Scicluna
18 Okon
19 McGree
20 Toure
21 T Yengi
22 Irankunda
23 Sapsford
24 Kuol
25 Suto
26 Overy
Yengi looks unlikely with injury
 
Aiden O'Neill definitely running well in terms of defensive contributions this season but I think he'll be better off as a defensive midfielder rather than in the central midfield position he was in during the 2024 Asian Cup.
He is basically an undersized centre back, movement (or lack of) to receive the ball could be down to Popa and has for mine shown flashes of good offensive play but I worry when playing out against a press.
 
Quite surprised the forum has so many different views!! Here is my current squad, see what happens with injuries (Souttar) and availability (Arena). Still 5-6 spots that will be determined on form and "best fit" to the structure we deploy.

GK – Ryan, Izzo, Gauci

Def - Bos, Behich, Burgess, Souttar, Circati, Rowles, Herrington, Karacic, Italiano

Mid – Irvine, O’Neill, Balard, McGree, Irankunda, Robertson, Devlin, Metcalfe

Fwd – Suto, Toure, Duke, Bennie, Hrustic, Sapsford

Given his versatility and age, thought Bennie should have been at the last camp. Similarly for Suto and Sapsford, we need a viable replacement for Toure in the squad.
 
Quite surprised the forum has so many different views!! Here is my current squad, see what happens with injuries (Souttar) and availability (Arena). Still 5-6 spots that will be determined on form and "best fit" to the structure we deploy.

GK – Ryan, Izzo, Gauci

Def - Bos, Behich, Burgess, Souttar, Circati, Rowles, Herrington, Karacic, Italiano

Mid – Irvine, O’Neill, Balard, McGree, Irankunda, Robertson, Devlin, Metcalfe

Fwd – Suto, Toure, Duke, Bennie, Hrustic, Sapsford

Given his versatility and age, thought Bennie should have been at the last camp. Similarly for Suto and Sapsford, we need a viable replacement for Toure in the squad.
Not sure if Mitch Duke would make the squad given his mixed form at club level for Macarthur but he brings World Cup experience from the previous cycle which is useful for a Socceroos playing list that is likely going to be prioritising youth players.
 
8wks to our first game koff.
Souttar gonna be a real fine edge selection imo - I suspect Popa will consider due to his experience/height and pending he's showing positive signs from the achilles rehab now that he's back playing in the ressie's for the Fox's.
 
8wks to our first game koff.
Souttar gonna be a real fine edge selection imo - I suspect Popa will consider due to his experience/height and pending he's showing positive signs from the achilles rehab now that he's back playing in the ressie's for the Fox's.
Someone earlier said they think he'll be brought into the squad and assessed. I suspect they're right. I think we'll pick him but not necessarily as a guaranteed starter.
 
8wks to our first game koff.
Souttar gonna be a real fine edge selection imo - I suspect Popa will consider due to his experience/height and pending he's showing positive signs from the achilles rehab now that he's back playing in the ressie's for the Fox's.
If Harry isn't quite fit enough I think he will be amongst the very last to be left out. I think Popovic will give him every chance.
 
I agree fellas, having recovered from a achilles myself I think its far more reliable compared to recovering from a ACL.
The concerns is/are match fitness/timing/touch etc how quickly he shows he gets back in his groove.
He's proven his worth and I suppose the selection that IF it doesn't work out ce la vie worse case scenario.
 
Quite surprised the forum has so many different views!! Here is my current squad, see what happens with injuries (Souttar) and availability (Arena). Still 5-6 spots that will be determined on form and "best fit" to the structure we deploy.

GK – Ryan, Izzo, Gauci

Def - Bos, Behich, Burgess, Souttar, Circati, Rowles, Herrington, Karacic, Italiano

Mid – Irvine, O’Neill, Balard, McGree, Irankunda, Robertson, Devlin, Metcalfe

Fwd – Suto, Toure, Duke, Bennie, Hrustic, Sapsford

Given his versatility and age, thought Bennie should have been at the last camp. Similarly for Suto and Sapsford, we need a viable replacement for Toure in the squad.
I hope our mid selections don't end up like that. Don't get me wrong I like all those players, but far to similar for mine. Irvine, O'Neill, Balard, Robertson, Devlin, Melcalfe all fighting for 2 spots
 
Picking a squad is tough now. I feel like we're thin for attacking depth without Segecic and Volpato and have a lot of not-quite-right options to pick from. Some of our younger players look best fits for certain roles, but are untried, which adds risks (I don't think Popovic will take).
 
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