2026 World Cup Squad

[patjennings]

current 18 by position

----------------------------------------Gauci/Beach------------------------------------------------------
---------------Matthews------------souttar------------burgess-----------------------------------
-bennie/raphael----------------Caceres----Robbo-----------------------behich-------------
-----leckie/vellupilay--Duke/Daggers/Toures/Borello-----Hrustic/irankunda-

Why is irankunda on the left and vellupillay on the right?

 

[scooterw]

A much more inspiring selection of arrivals. Would love to see Bennie make the final squad.

 

[grazorblade]

Why is irankunda on the left and vellupillay on the right?

irankunda even on both sides


Vellupilay does seem to have a slight preference for the left as u say

 

[Quicky]

I hope Bennie comes in and impresses Popovic like Mathews, Herrington and Italiano managed to. It's possible. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't make the cut.

 

[DandyCasey]

I guess Younis, Teague, Arzani miss the cut

 

[DandyCasey]

Rapt to see Bennie!

 

[grazorblade]

I guess Younis, Teague, Arzani miss the cut

Shame about younis. Others seem down the pecking order

 

[patjennings]

I guess Younis, Teague, Arzani miss the cut

Don't have a problem with Teague or Arzani missing. Arzani has done nothing for years. Teague has done nothing.

 

[LFC]

Why is irankunda on the left and vellupillay on the right?

oh patj the heat map says its all a ok hahaha
Like computer says Yes haha this is 110% correct.
We can rest easy though does the computer know where he feels right at home ? I suppose so and roips any defender to pieces with ease - they must all be equal today.

 

[grazorblade]

oh patj the heat map says its all a ok hahaha
Like computer says Yes haha this is 110% correct.
We can rest easy though does the computer know where he feels right at home ? I suppose so and roips any defender to pieces with ease - they must all be equal today.

I also watched irankunda haha
He has played on both sides

 

[JS96]

All expected call ups except Bennie and RBR so a very nice surprise to add competition on the right.

 

[grazorblade]

All expected call ups except Bennie and RBR so a very nice surprise to add competition on the right.

so really only scicluna and younis the only disappointments so far

 

[HonestSpursFan]

View attachment 6815

Hope we see Antonio Arena in this squad.

 

[LFC]

If also watched irankunda haha
He has played on both sides

I sense a typo in your first sentence - but I guess the question is have I watched his games haha
You bet I have and yes he can but every single player always has a natural preference as well.
Which side he recieves, which side he likes to turn and shoot from his natural preffered peg.
Yes Right peg.
Some prefer approaching from the left side with far more success than the right side.
So a heat map is one thing.
I know he's dam capable - wish his strike rate would increase hopefully this Cup.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

so really only scicluna and younis the only disappointments so far

Marcus Younis has no experience playing in major tournaments at senior international level but he definitely has the potential so may well be in the 55-player list as a differential option or injury cover, and likely if he doesn't make the squad for the World Cup then he'll be a shout for the 2027 Asian Cup playing list instead.

 

[JS96]

so really only scicluna and younis the only disappointments so far

Is there maybe a big name that will be trolled by Popovic but not making any call up batch? Wouldn't put it past him.

Surely every gets called in who's been around. Borrello might be gone by the time the final set turn up.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

Don't have a problem with Teague or Arzani missing. Arzani has done nothing for years. Teague has done nothing.

Arzani was better at 18 than now. He doesn't look like he enjoys the game much, tbh. His body language is very negative.
I can understand - he's had horrible injury issues and made some awful club decisions. It must be tough for him right now, because this is now as good as it gets for a once very ambitious player.

He reminds me a lot of Taj Minniecon. I watched a young TM destroy Fulham at Gold Coast. I was convinced I was looking at the best player we had produced since Kewell. He vanished after that, gone in a puff of smoke.

 

[DandyCasey]

Shame about younis. Others seem down the pecking order

Yeah but I am somewhat surprised with Popa having worked with both Teague and Arzani before. A Younis selection would have had more merit with his club form.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Why are people saying Younis definitely when only 18 have been announced so far?

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Why are people saying Younis definitely when only 18 have been announced so far?

Marcus Younis has been in remarkable form at club level and based on potential alone would be a shout to make the Socceroos playing list for the World Cup.