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2026 World Cup Squad

Izzo, Circati, Italiano, Borrello. Is that everyone with an Italian name?
 
JS96 said:
I'm glad we've got Volapto but this is just another Popovic deviation when it comes to picking players based on merit and system. Nisbet warrants a chance as do many more.

It's the speed of the inclusion that irks me but there must have been a lot more happening in the background.
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Popovic has been very inconsistent how he applies his selection values.
 
JS96 said:
It does and doesn't make sense and if Borrello comes on to hold a lead and we win he'll be in the Maclaren books of doing a world cup close down job.
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Yeah i wont be surprised if borello is picked, just surprised he is ahead of duke for that role
 
grazorblade said:
Stupid question, would volpato have had to be in the 55 preliminary list (indicating that this is not as last minute as it looks)
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I would expect he would have had to be. But can you name someone in the 55 if they have a different playing nationality (at the time the 55 names are submitted).
 
Keeper66 said:
I would expect he would have had to be. But can you name someone in the 55 if they have a different playing nationality (at the time the 55 names are submitted).
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Very good questions. I thought it was required that players must be in the 55 to end up in the 26 but agree, how did he get in the 55 if not under Australia at that time. Lots of unanswered questions.
 
grazorblade said:
Stupid question, would volpato have had to be in the 55 preliminary list (indicating that this is not as last minute as it looks)
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The following is from the tournament regulations


24.1 Each Participating Member Association shall provide FIFA with a final release list of at least 23 players up to a maximum of 26 players (at least three of whom shall be goalkeepers) and up to 27 team officials (hereinafter “final release list”) by the deadline stipulated in the relevant circular letter. This final release list shall contain only players who were named on the provisional release list. Any exception must be approved by FIFA. A signed copy of the final release list shall also be sent to FIFA by the same deadline. All information requested online about the players should be duly completed.

The provisional release list it refers to is the 55 player list. So for Volpato to be in the final squad he needed to be in the provisional list, is how I read it, *edit* unless approved later by FIFA.

This is what it say regarding player eligibility

22.1 Each Participating Member Association shall ensure the following when selecting its representative team for the FIFA World Cup 26: a) All players shall hold the nationality of their country or territory as represented by the Participating Member Association and be subject to its jurisdiction. b) All players shall be eligible for selection in accordance with the FIFA Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and other FIFA rules and regulations.

I imagine Volpato is regarded as holding the nationality of Australia, so would fit this requirement.
 
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JRD said:
The larger train on squad was what the coach decided to do, but wasn't mandatory. All they need to do is pick a 26 man squad by 1 June.
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No it was mandatory. From the tournament regulations

23.1 Each Participating Member Association shall provide FIFA with a list of a minimum of 35 and no more than 55 players (four of whom shall be goalkeepers, hereinafter: “provisional release list”) whom it may call up in accordance with the relevant provisions of Annexe 1 to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players and the mandatory release date as defined in these Regulations.
 
verrelli said:
Make it happen Popovic. Only slight issue is that Irankunda and Volpato both favour the right wing I believe.

View attachment 7249
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This isn't bad actually.

I would go with the following. As good as he is, I don't think Irankunda fits the system well as a starter. It stifles him.

I think he's most valuable off the bench and the next iteration of Australia's team post-World Cup needs to focus on building a shape that fits the players we have

Gemini_Generated_Image_n3ebytn3ebytn3eb.png
 
JRD said:
This isn't bad actually.

I would go with the following. As good as he is, I don't think Irankunda fits the system well as a starter. It stifles him.

I think he's most valuable off the bench and the next iteration of Australia's team post-World Cup needs to focus on building a shape that fits the players we have

View attachment 7251
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Ha yes this!
 
Quicky said:
I could see a starting front 3 of Metcalfe - Toure - Volpato. Then a sub of Irankunda - Velupillay to run at tired defenders. That pace would be terrifying if your legs were cooked.
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Probably Metcalfe - Borello - Volpato first half and then Velupillay - Toure - Irankunda on at the 60'
 
NicCarBel said:
Should I live stream me doing the nationality change on PES?
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Have also put together what I have the squad as at the moment, given the players missing from being in game and the player stats in game for who's left in camp.
 
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If Popovic wanted to go for five at the back we could in theory use this lineup:

socceroos back five lineup.png

Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos would act as flat wingbacks in that they play as wingbacks but are fundamentally assuming the roles of fullbacks, whilst Souttar and Circati are the centre backs and Kai Trewin can act as either a libero or midfield anchor. Paul Okon-Engstler and Cam Devlin would be part of a midfield duo but can be replaced by Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe or any other combination of two central midfielders, with Volpato as the sole winger and a forward line of Mo Toure and Nestory Irankunda in what is essentially an asymmetric 5-2-1-2 formation.
 
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