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2026 World Cup Squad

Starting to think Devlin's form is irresistible. Especially as such a defensive warrior and with doubts around Yazbek and O'Neill.

My squad as it stands:

Ryan
Izzo
Gauci

Train on: Beach

Circati
Souttar
Herrington
Burgess
Degenek
Trewin
Italiano
Bennie
Bos
Behich

Train on: Rowles, Geria, Borges-Rodrigues

Irvine
O'Neill
Devlin
Robertson
Yazbek

Train on: Okon-Engstler, Balard

Irankunda
McGree
Hrustic
Metcalfe
Boyle

Train on: Goodwin, Mabil, Velupillay

Toure
T.Yengi
Leckie

Train on: Duke

Tough to choose one of Boyle, Leckie and Duke and tough decision to leave Okon-Engslter out. If Yazbek is out, then he is the next man up.
 
JM47 said:
Tough to choose one of Boyle, Leckie and Duke and tough decision to leave Okon-Engslter out. If Yazbek is out, then he is the next man up.
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There's no guarantee that Aiden O'Neill will be right for the World Cup so Paul Okon-Engstler and Max Balard may both be drafted into the playing list in the absence of him and Yazbek if they're ruled out.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
There's no guarantee that Aiden O'Neill will be right for the World Cup so Paul Okon-Engstler and Max Balard may both be drafted into the playing list in the absence of him and Yazbek if they're ruled out.
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Yep 100%.

If that's the case, I'd bring in Okon-Engstler and one of Rowles or Geria. Trewin can be our next midfielder up. Not sure Balard's form the last few months really justifies automatic selection. Although it's quite harsh.

Other option is to bring in Duke, Goodwin or Mabil and then move Leckie or Metcalfe into our midfield options.
 
JM47 said:
Yep 100%.

If that's the case, I'd bring in Okon-Engstler and one of Rowles or Geria. Trewin can be our next midfielder up. Not sure Balard's form the last few months really justifies automatic selection. Although it's quite harsh.

Other option is to bring in Duke, Goodwin or Mabil and then move Leckie or Metcalfe into our midfield options.
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Rowles and Geria will both be in the squad and will likely play most games. They will be the defensive lwb and rwb choices. Bos will be played at LW.
 
Surprised at those not rating Balard. He's never put a foot wrong for the Socceroos and has played the whole season (sometimes as captain) in the Eredivisie - albeit in a relegated side which is little reflection on him.

When not selected for the last friendlies, Popa effectively said he'd chosen to stay and help fight the relegation battle so that must mean he's in contention. I reckon he'll certainly be in the camp and I'll be amazed if he doesn't make the final squad.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Surprised at those not rating Balard. He's never put a foot wrong for the Socceroos and has played the whole season (sometimes as captain) in the Eredivisie - albeit in a relegated side which is little reflection on him.

When not selected for the last friendlies, Popa effectively said he'd chosen to stay and help fight the relegation battle so that must mean he's in contention. I reckon he'll certainly be in the camp and I'll be amazed if he doesn't make the final squad.
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A few have commented that Balard's form has dropped off. I can't say I've watched him so it's hard to know if that's true. I think he's a good chance to make the team - more so even now given some of our midfield injuries. With his season over I'd be expecting to hear if he's in camp soon though.
 
Quicky said:
A few have commented that Balard's form has dropped off. I can't say I've watched him so it's hard to know if that's true. I think he's a good chance to make the team - more so even now given some of our midfield injuries. With his season over I'd be expecting to hear if he's in camp soon though.
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His form is very similar to Okon-Englster who many consider a certainty. Balard form is in an top 10 league. Okon-Engstler is doing it in a much lower league. He may have a higher ceiling - but coming back from os to a highly rated side in a lower league really doesn't convince me he is ready for the next step. His time will come - I just think the time is now.
 
Quicky said:
A few have commented that Balard's form has dropped off. I can't say I've watched him so it's hard to know if that's true. I think he's a good chance to make the team - more so even now given some of our midfield injuries. With his season over I'd be expecting to hear if he's in camp soon though.
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I couldn't emphasize this more. Last season everyone is clamoring for him after he moves and establishes himself mid table in Holland. Now they get relegated and the talk is his form has dropped. Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't. I would be fairly sure almost no one has watched even 5% of his minutes since he moved. I am also fairly sure that having two years in Europe under his belt and turning 25, he is now a better player, despite the relegation.

He will come into camp soon, and how he presents and performs in camp will likely dictate if he can grab one of the midfield spots.
 
Cunningstunt said:
I couldn't emphasize this more. Last season everyone is clamoring for him after he moves and establishes himself mid table in Holland. Now they get relegated and the talk is his form has dropped. Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't. I would be fairly sure almost no one has watched even 5% of his minutes since he moved. I am also fairly sure that having two years in Europe under his belt and turning 25, he is now a better player, despite the relegation.

He will come into camp soon, and how he presents and performs in camp will likely dictate if he can grab one of the midfield spots.
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Quicky said:
It doesn't look drastically different over that time period at club level for Balard.
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Max Balard's form at NAC Breda has been mixed this season but he ranks somewhat highly in terms of defensive contributions so could be a differential option for us in defensive midfield at the World Cup.
 
My updated WC squad:
GKs: Ryan,Izzo,Beach
RB: Italiano,Bennie
LB: Bos,Behich
CBs: Circati,Souttar,Burgess,Herrington,Trewin,Rowles
DMs: O'Neill,Irvine,Yazbek,Okon-Engstler,Devlin,Balard
AMs: McGree,Hrustic,Leckie,Metcalfe
Strikers: Toure,Irankunda,Duke
If injuries,etc
GK: Gauci
RB: Karacic
LB:Iredale
CB: Geria
DM: Robertson
AM: C Goodwin,Mabil,Boyle
Striker: Juric,Velupillay
 
Popovic is going to go with his favourites. I fear for Devlin and Balard. Balard's match ratings are still decent with a number of higher performances.

I rate Yazbek but I'd hope we just omit Yazbek and O'Neill right now for their injuries and bring in Balard and Devlin.
 
BRB isn't going to make the 26 but I don't think Strain will be called over at all. The right backs are either locked or other candidates have been invited over earlier that someone like Strain is a slight victim of his football calendar.

At the same time I don't enjoy Popovic looking at so many players at this time. Other countries are naming their 26.
 
JS96 said:
BRB isn't going to make the 26 but I don't think Strain will be called over at all. The right backs are either locked or other candidates have been invited over earlier that someone like Strain is a slight victim of his football calendar.

At the same time I don't enjoy Popovic looking at so many players at this time. Other countries are naming their 26.
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Interesting that England have named a provisional 55 as well. Not that we have got that many yet, though. I am happy with the option, to give the fringe players a final chance to show what they can do, and to also send a "we're watching you brief to some youngsters.
 
Hillbilly55 said:
Interesting that England have named a provisional 55 as well. Not that we have got that many yet, though. I am happy with the option, to give the fringe players a final chance to show what they can do, and to also send a "we're watching you brief to some youngsters.
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I wish England had released the 55 as some inclusions or exclusions would be talking points.

Given the distance I think it's good we have more players there in case of camp injuries. Other nations with 26 suffering injuries will call someone over quickly but having players there will mean minimal disruption.
 
JS96 said:
Bennie has to be included for me. His versatility helps relieve some pressure. Probably omit Geria as we've got enough centre backs.
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Agree that Jason Geria should be omitted given our depth at centre back as well as the fact that his form at club level has been mixed and he doesn't really rank as highly in defensive contributions compared to players like Circati and Souttar.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
Agree that Jason Geria should be omitted given our depth at centre back as well as the fact that his form at club level has been mixed and he doesn't really rank as highly in defensive contributions compared to players like Circati and Souttar.
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I'm starting to think these versatile players make Popovic more indecisive.

Rowles being played as a LWB just isn't right. I think he hates it himself but don't complain about minutes.
 
JS96 said:
I'm starting to think these versatile players make Popovic more indecisive.

Rowles being played as a LWB just isn't right. I think he hates it himself but don't complain about minutes.
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Rowles and Geria are in simply because they will start as wing backs. Bos will start as LW and Italiano may come on if we are chasing the game.

Popovic will be safety first. Lock down everything. He won't want Turkey and USA to attack areas behind offensive wing backs.
 
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