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2026 World Cup Squad

Ok so trying to put the squad numbers together based off the training camp + Mexico friendly:

  1. Mat Ryan
  2. Milos Degenek
  3. Alessandro Circati
  4. ???
  5. Jordan Bos
  6. ???
  7. Mathew Leckie
  8. Connor Metcalfe
  9. Mohamed Toure
  10. Ajdin Hrustic
  11. Nestory Irankunda OR Awer Mabil (Irankunda got 11 at the camp first, then Mabil got 11 at the camp as well, with Nestory getting 14, but on matchday, Irankunda reverted back to 11 with Mabil wearing 38)
  12. Paul Izzo
  13. Aiden O'Neill
  14. Nestory Irankunda (see note for #11 - #14 is usually reserved for Riley McGree)
  15. Kai Trewin (Trewin wore #36 for the Mexico friendly, but there is footage/images of Kai in #15 training gear at the camp after Duke was cut)
  16. Aziz Behich
  17. Cameron Devlin
  18. Patrick Beach (I'm assuming, as #18 was Joe Gauci)
  19. Harry Souttar
  20. Paul Okon-Engstler
  21. Cameron Burgess
  22. Jackson Irvine
  23. Jacob Italiano
  24. ???
  25. Jason Geria
  26. Lucas Herrington

That essentially leaves me with 3 question marks:
  • Nishan Velupillay - wore 34 at camp
  • Tete Yengi - wore 32 at camp
  • Cristian Volpato - wore 35 for final day of camp
Only 24 has been worn by either out of the 3 remaining numbers (4, 6 and 24), which was worn by Velupillay at Melbourne Victory during 20/21, 21/22 and 22/23

Yengi has worn 14 and 41, with Volpato wearing 62 when playing for Roma, so I'm inclined to go with:

Tete Yengi - 4
Cristian Volpato - 6
Nishan Velupillay - 24

Let's see how wrong I am when the numbers are announced


Just noting, based off my game - I will need to replace Okon, and Italiano due to not being in game - thoughts on who? If I'm only using the final 30, I will replace with Borrello and Rowles as most suited to their positions.
 
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tsf said:
One could also argue that as professionals they also adhere to team protocols etc.

You don’t build a team from mercenaries. A team devoid largely of skill like we are would demand just as much of a team comraderie and work ethic.

All I am saying is it could have an effect on team psychology

Let’s see if it does
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They can always bring back the vibe manager:

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Martin Boyle becomes Australia 'vibe manager' after World Cup injury blow

The Easter Road favourite admitted he was gutted after he failed to recover from a knee strain picked up in a 3-0 win over St Mirren last month in time for the showpiece event.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk www.dailyrecord.co.uk
 
Volpato has come in as a straight swap for McGree, I'd say. I'm thinking the 2 RCF will be Volpato and Irankunda, the 3 LCF will be Velupillay, Mabil and Leckie. Popa really rolling the dice on Leckie getting up to speed quickly. Leckie offers vast experience and its been suggested Mabil might be a good influence on Irankunda. Of the 6 CMs, 2 of Irvine, Metcalfe, O'Neill, Devlin, Hrustic, Okon-E at any given time. At first I was surprised by the inclusion of Degenek over Rowles given that Bos has had injury issues and Behich is old but maybe Popa is thinking that Metcalfe can provide cover at LWB if needs be. Trewin could move into midfield and Geria backup RWB if numbers are down.
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
They can always bring back the vibe manager:

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Martin Boyle becomes Australia 'vibe manager' after World Cup injury blow

The Easter Road favourite admitted he was gutted after he failed to recover from a knee strain picked up in a 3-0 win over St Mirren last month in time for the showpiece event.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk www.dailyrecord.co.uk
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:ROFLMAO:. From all reports he would still be hanging around anyway in case of injuries? So he can still vibe it up. I'm sure he'll be one of the first up celebrating when Volp's breaks the home nation's hearts with a 95th min winner.
 
Popa said "there's no way Leckie would've been selected if he didn't come to this camp early". So it seems like its all about fitness for Leckie and that game yesterday was just testing his fitness. I don't expect him to get much game-time at all at the World Cup now with these comments.
 
dr. bellows said:
Volpato has come in as a straight swap for McGree, I'd say. I'm thinking the 2 RCF will be Volpato and Irankunda, the 3 LCF will be Velupillay, Mabil and Leckie. Popa really rolling the dice on Leckie getting up to speed quickly. Leckie offers vast experience and its been suggested Mabil might be a good influence on Irankunda. Of the 6 CMs, 2 of Irvine, Metcalfe, O'Neill, Devlin, Hrustic, Okon-E at any given time. At first I was surprised by the inclusion of Degenek over Rowles given that Bos has had injury issues and Behich is old but maybe Popa is thinking that Metcalfe can provide cover at LWB if needs be. Trewin could move into midfield and Geria backup RWB if numbers are down.
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We don't have enough in midfield for both of the advanced mids to be attackers IMO. We would be completely overrun.

One must be able to operate between the lines, contribute to attacks, interplay with the forward and pass the ball well, and one must be able to play as a central midfielder when out of possession.

It'll be Volpato and Metcalfe I think.
 
JRD said:
We don't have enough in midfield for both of the advanced mids to be attackers IMO. We would be completely overrun.

One must be able to operate between the lines, contribute to attacks, interplay with the forward and pass the ball well, and one must be able to play as a central midfielder when out of possession.

It'll be Volpato and Metcalfe I think.
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You think Metcalfe will operate as a CF?
 
ok so here's what I'm setting as our team for the Australia v Turkey match for EL SIMULACION DE LA COPA DEL MUNDO

TOURE
MABIL IRANKUNDA

VOLPATO
IRVINE METCALFE

BOS SOUTTAR CIRCATI GERIA

RYAN
​
SUBS: Izzo, Burgess, Herrington, Degenek, Trewin, Behich, O'Neill, Devlin, Hrustic, Velupillay, Leckie, Yengi
RESERVES: Beach, Rowles, Borrello (not on matchday bench - game is limited to bench of 12)

NOTE: PES 2021/Football Life 26 does not feature Okon-Engstler and Jacob Italiano, so these have been replaced by Borrello and Rowles, and placed in reserves because of this.
 
Sorry for Boyle and Rowles.Leckie is lucky after yesterday's performance.Beach over Gauci must have been a line ball decision and Borrello was really not up to standard.The die is cast and I am looking forward to the game against Switzerland to see Volpato and hopefully Yengi.Also would like Devlin to be given some minutes.
 
Alex M said:
The Asian Cup is the natural end of this cycle. Sure some of the older players in this squad won't be there, but the focus should always be on winning the Asian Cup. It's the only major trophy we have a chance of winning. We should be picking the best available squad for this.
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And then we go with the same tried and tested players for the next World Cup cycle?
 
NicCarBel said:
Ok so trying to put the squad numbers together based off the training camp + Mexico friendly:

  1. Mat Ryan
  2. Milos Degenek
  3. Alessandro Circati
  4. ???
  5. Jordan Bos
  6. ???
  7. Mathew Leckie
  8. Connor Metcalfe
  9. Mohamed Toure
  10. Ajdin Hrustic
  11. Nestory Irankunda OR Awer Mabil (Irankunda got 11 at the camp first, then Mabil got 11 at the camp as well, with Nestory getting 14, but on matchday, Irankunda reverted back to 11 with Mabil wearing 38)
  12. Paul Izzo
  13. Aiden O'Neill
  14. Nestory Irankunda (see note for #11 - #14 is usually reserved for Riley McGree)
  15. Kai Trewin (Trewin wore #36 for the Mexico friendly, but there is footage/images of Kai in #15 training gear at the camp after Duke was cut)
  16. Aziz Behich
  17. Cameron Devlin
  18. Patrick Beach (I'm assuming, as #18 was Joe Gauci)
  19. Harry Souttar
  20. Paul Okon-Engstler
  21. Cameron Burgess
  22. Jackson Irvine
  23. Jacob Italiano
  24. ???
  25. Jason Geria
  26. Lucas Herrington

That essentially leaves me with 3 question marks:
  • Nishan Velupillay - wore 34 at camp
  • Tete Yengi - wore 32 at camp
  • Cristian Volpato - wore 35 when arrived at camp
Only 24 has been worn by either out of the 3 remaining numbers (4, 6 and 24), which was worn by Velupillay at Melbourne Victory during 20/21, 21/22 and 22/23

Yengi has worn 14 and 41, with Volpato wearing 62 when playing for Roma, so I'm inclined to go with:

Tete Yengi - 4
Cristian Volpato - 6
Nishan Velupillay - 24

Let's see how wrong I am when the numbers are announced


Just noting, based off my game - I will need to replace Okon, and Italiano due to not being in game - thoughts on who? If I'm only using the final 30, I will replace with Borrello and Rowles as most suited to their positions.
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Updated - Volpato wore 35 for his day of training - doesn't really change my number predictions though
 
booney52 said:
Beach over Gauci must have been a line ball decision and Borrello was really not up to standard.
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Not sure if it was the case here, but I've heard in the past that it's pretty common for the 1st pick keeper to have quite a bit of leverage over who the 2nd and 3rd picks are. My understanding is that it's not so much about competition but rather a preference of who they train better along side. I guess it's like any workplace, morale and performance are often improved when co-workers have a solid connection. Not worried about our keepers though, it's one position Aussies consistently do well at.
 
erogenouszone said:
Most people go with a Ford differential with 3.02 ratio & 28 spline when mating it up to a Chevy big block engine & it handles the torque well.

Sorry wrong forum.
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dog-meme.gif
 
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