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2026 World Cup Squad

grazorblade said:
Nisbet I didn't know what to expect because I didn't get a chance to find a stream of his this year.He has had all round good performance and is listed on the role ranking page as the best DM in the league. Needs to find a better league. Probably not enough progressive passing to partner irvine and a 160cm central mid in poppas system gives me nightmares haha. If the socceroos ever play higher on the pitch he might come back into the fold though

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Eerste consistently ranked in the 25th to 35th best league - A- League men 45th - 55th. Maybe Popa's system is the problem.
 
grazorblade said:
Here is Scicluna and....crikey

I've seen plenty of players where I hope they could play straight away in the big 5 (of course, back the players every time) but I've never seen a player where they look a real chance....should probably go bundesliga 2 or something first just in case
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If this is true then I can’t imagine what Wanderers would be like without him. Like seriously, I could lose brain cells thinking about how shit they would be.
 
grazorblade said:
No surprises with Irvine's wagon wheel. He is capable of very high skilled actions, but he cannot do low skilled actions consistently enough to trust him in build up. So he has low progression, (progressive passes and carries). He also has low short and medium passes because he isn't trusted on the ball until they are deep in the half and he can try one of his high skill moves that occasionally pays off and is devastating even at a high level. He has a high dribble success and high smart passes, for Australia he also scores goals. He however has little tackles+intercepts meaning he has two weaknesses that need to be covered in a 2 man midfield

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For a senior Socceroo that’s a pretty shit bottom left quadrant.
 
Here is Jackson Irvines last buli 2 season for comparison. No short passing or progression, slightly better ball winner and way better in the final 3rd. Almost a discount tim cahill hahaScreenshot 2026-04-14 at 20.47.21.png
 
grazorblade said:
Here is Jackson Irvines last buli 2 season for comparison. No short passing or progression, slightly better ball winner and way better in the final 3rd. Almost a discount tim cahill hahaView attachment 6434
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Yeah major improvement in those stats. Shows that while the Big Five have the best first, second, etc tiers in the world (and their second tiers are still top leagues globally), second tier football is a different ballgame to first tier football.
 
grazorblade said:
No surprises with Irvine's wagon wheel. He is capable of very high skilled actions, but he cannot do low skilled actions consistently enough to trust him in build up. So he has low progression, (progressive passes and carries). He also has low short and medium passes because he isn't trusted on the ball until they are deep in the half and he can try one of his high skill moves that occasionally pays off and is devastating even at a high level. He has a high dribble success and high smart passes, for Australia he also scores goals. He however has little tackles+intercepts meaning he has two weaknesses that need to be covered in a 2 man midfield

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Can't remember last World cup 2022 Mooy or Baccus played DM with him?
 
grazorblade said:
Here is Scicluna and....crikey

I've seen plenty of players where I hope they could play straight away in the big 5 (of course, back the players every time) but I've never seen a player where they look a real chance....should probably go bundesliga 2 or something first just in case
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Looks a better playing fit in the National Teams current set-up where we don't otherwise lack height and size. Also where we need a defensive screener and player who can progress the ball. His qualities fill a gap and weaknesses are covered. If you just go with stats.
 
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grazorblade said:
Velupillay actually generates a lot in the final third without converting, which unfortunately has been the story of his career. Not much defensive contribution even for his position
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Velupillay's finishing has improved considerably if you can believe it. I think he's an impact sub option with his pace against tired defenses. A lot of people are dead against it but I can see the logic.
 
grazorblade said:
Robbos wagon wheel is interesting. I didn't expect his defense to be that good, but I also didn't expect his progression to be so weak? Part of it could be that half his games he has played as a half space attacking mid rather than a central mid. Lots of danger around the penaltyarea and he has added defensive starch to his game

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Robertson is a versatile mid. Can play 6-8-10. I reckon mould him to what you need. Theres no reason he can't be a screener in a double pivot and he riffs off Irvines strengths and weaknesses.
 
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Based on Tony Popovic's most recent 26-man squad selection for the 2026 windows leading up to the World Cup, here is the projected starting XI and the full list of substitutes, lining up in Popovic's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Starting XI​


PositionPlayerClub
GK (C)Mathew RyanLevante UD
CBAlessandro CircatiParma
CBHarry SouttarLeicester City
CBCameron BurgessSwansea City
RWBJacob ItalianoGrazer AK
CMAiden O'NeillNew York City FC
CMConnor MetcalfeSt Pauli
LWBJordan BosFeyenoord
RAMMartin BoyleHibernian
LAMRiley McGreeMiddlesbrough
STDeni JuricWisla Plock
(Note: While Mitchell Duke and Kusini Yengi have been strong options previously, Deni Juric has been highly favored as a target man heading into the final pre-camp).

Substitutes (The 15-Man Bench)
Goalkeepers:
Paul Izzo (Randers FC)
Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)

Defenders:
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City) - Veteran LWB option
Milos Degenek (Apoel FC) - Experienced CB cover
Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian / DC United) - Left-sided CB cover
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata) - Versatile right-sided defender
Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids) - Young breakout CB prospect
Kai Trewin (New York City FC)

Midfielders:
Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo) - Creative spark and set-piece specialist
Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City) - Dynamic central progression
Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC)

Forwards / Wingers:
Nestory Irankunda (Watford) - The explosive "X-Factor" off the bench
Awer Mabil (CD Castellón)
Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory)
Ante Suto (Hibernian)
 
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