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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

JS96 said:
I kinda wish we'd found a spot for Suto. The issue is having Boyle and Leckie about and then Geria, Trewin and Rowles.

These unknowns could explode like a new club signing.
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Bring him on in a 0–0 draw with the USA then have him score the winner like at Hibs!
 
I looks like there was a press conference with Popovic but football Australia hasn't uploaded it yet.
 
verrelli said:
Gotta feel for McGree. A couple of days ago his club team were strong favourites to win promotion playoff against a pretty mediocre team that had finished 6th, and he was all set to be on a plane to the US for the World Cup probably 24-48 hours later. Now he is injured, playing Championship football again this season, and will be watching the World Cup either on TV or from the sidelines. McGree and Yazbek both would have been squad players I think, and McGree a starter. Matthews and D'Agostino probably wouldn't have made the squad anyway I suspect.

This squad is about as "Popovic" as one can get. Dull, predictable and lacking in X factor. Rewarding his usual favourites. Okon being selected ahead of Robertson stinks of blatant nepotism. If Devlin is in the final 3 to be cut, I think I'll lose interest entirely.
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No you won'r mate we need you. You dreamt Volpato switched to us, so we need you to dream we beat the USA 3-0.
 
grazorblade said:
Ok Alex cancelled the pod this week so I'm going to give us some hopium. Here are some reasons to be optimistic this year

1. Equal most big game experience since 2010

We have roughly as many minutes in the big 5 coming into a tournament since 2010, with 6 players that have substantial experience


I suppose this shows 2018 was a bit underrated, the drama of Ange leaving and the angst of us not producing players of the same calibre after the golden generation
YearMinutes in big 5 in prior seasonNumber of Players who have had at least 1 season of experience in the big 5
20147952
201886566
202218574
202684666



2. Roughly equal most European minutes since 2010

Even if you hate on the MLS and J league and only rate players in Europe (you probably shouldn't they are probably similar in quality to the Danish League!) this year has a lot of players getting regular minutes in europe showing our depth. In fact, this year remains the best despite controversial selections that would boost this. Despite Segecics defection, Balard and Elders omission as well as injuries to key big minute getters in Mcgree, Miller, Luongo and Souttar we rank very highly. I think there is an argument to say our depth is the best it has even been, even better than during the golden generation

YearTotal European Minutes
201421061
201840757
202216599
202636049

This of course could change, we could have some strange selections cutting some players getting big European minutes, but it will still be similar to 2018

3. Highest ELO since 2006

This one surprised me, we actually have a slightly higher elo than in 2010 where a lot of the golden generation had already started to decline. We haven't played our last friendly before the world cup mind you, and its a close enough call that this could change

YearELO in last game before the world cup
20101775
20141708
20181743
20221721
20261783

Our ELO before the 2006 world cup was 2006 for those wondering, a remarkable achievement for a team that wasn't as battle hardened reflecting the superior talent of that generation

4. Lowest ELO of opponents ever

This will surprise no one, but it might be interesting to see the gap between our team and our group each year

YearELO of 3 group opponentsdifference compared to Australia
20142004196
20181918175
20221881167
2026181835
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Amazing data. Curious how you compiled this.
 
socceroosmad said:
Popovic on Volpato
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Not chasing the player. Flew over to have conversations. Built into part of the European scouting tour but I bet Balard got a brief wave from the stands. Did Triantis and Segecic get the same coddling? Mind you they were more pro Australia before reverting but sometimes just a little extra can work.
 
socceroosmad said:
This is huge for Australia's chances. At the same time it's never nice to hear about injuries to key players, whatever the team or nationality.
Football really is a game of snakes and ladders. We loe McGree, we gain Volpato and Turkiye loses Yildiz ...
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Evidently everyone's being affected. They've got other good players too but it kinda sucks not to face their best either. I'd say build a squad where there aren't excuses that someone was missing.

All a bit of luck really. The Vidal saga in 2014 took weeks and he played.
 
Can we start Okon at the World Cup?

I don't trust him if I'm honest.

But equally those saying he's been one of our better mids are correct.

We looked our best v Mexico with some of his progressive passes.

Should we risk it?
 
Quicky said:
Can we start Okon at the World Cup?

I don't trust him if I'm honest.

But equally those saying he's been one of our better mids are correct.

We looked our best v Mexico with some of his progressive passes.

Should we risk it?
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we might use him in 2nd halves against tired legs. Seems to be the pattern so far

His height probably prevents the goal (since it was O'Niells man)
 
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