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2026 World Cup Squad

JRD said:
Is there any recent news on O'Neill's status? He's my favourite to start next to Irvine if he's fit but it's probably risky given Irvine has his own concerns (and is a certainty to be in the starting 11).

I agree with the calls for Bennie to make the 26. He's a profile we don't have much of but need.
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I don't wish it on anyone but forcing our hand to remove those who've been complacent or can't do much with the ball can allow the best to play. I'm gutted for Miller but we got to see Italiano and now Bennie is promoted and hopefully there's awareness of Strain.

Miller is nowhere near our other centre backs. He'll be a squaddie in the future.

The same goes for O'Neill. He can do stuff but his immunity has allowed him to be lazy. Robertson has to play instead. He's played deeper and was fine.
 
Quicky said:
Not training 2.5 weeks before the squad lodgement deadline is racing the clock.
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We saw it with Juric in 2018 and Hrustic in 2022. If you're underdone then you're just not at the level required. The only players I'd take with one leg are Irankunda, Bos and Circati. Anyone else underdone won't be able to do much.
 
Quicky said:
It does. It sucks. Especially with our options.
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It's such an abomination of a formation really. We're quashing our assets and using or forming liabilities.

The formations are always listed as fixed position on paper but I'd like a back 4 with Bos being higher up and then something of a diamond midfield or a midfield flat 3 that has a large tank and can cover Bos and Italiano when they go up.

We could actually create something like this in game if we instruct Circati to become a midfielder.
 
JS96 said:
There's a difference between going with your favourites who are capable rather than inept.

Popovic keeps picking poorer options in numerous areas. Other coaches would come in and get rid of some players immediately.
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Its true that other coaches may have their own favourites. It's all opinion in the end, but the current coach's one is the one that counts.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
Welcome to the forum! Daniel Bennie is definitely a shout to make the final 26-player list for the Socceroos given that he ranks highly in chance creation so could be a good option for us in midfield, but likely he may only be a differential option.
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Thanks!

Re the 2 man midfield, it makes McGree key. He tucks in narrow to make a 3 man midfield and to allow Bos to overlap, while the player on the right (likely Nestory) plays a wider / freer role.
 
JS96 said:
It's such an abomination of a formation really. We're quashing our assets and using or forming liabilities.

The formations are always listed as fixed position on paper but I'd like a back 4 with Bos being higher up and then something of a diamond midfield or a midfield flat 3 that has a large tank and can cover Bos and Italiano when they go up.

We could actually create something like this in game if we instruct Circati to become a midfielder.
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Our biggest assets to be fair are our cb stocks and jordy bos, so it make sense to jam the cbs in and give a more advamced role to bos much like postecoglu did a franken formation to fit in as many mids as we could during the 2017 confed cup
 
Updated starting eleven

GK
Ryan (Obvious choice, most experienced and big 5 league goalkeeper)

RCB
Souttar (Experienced national team campaigner with serious credit, this starting eleven hinges on his fitness, such a threat from set pieces)

CB
Circati (picks himself)

LCB
Herrington (Close call with Burgess but I believe this kid is top 5 league quality)

RWB
Italiano (only starting option, backups unproven)

LWB
Bos (class, career trajectory on par with Emerton)

DM
Robertson (we need some creativity Popa, surely)

DM
Trewin (big body and on par with other Def mids for mine, adds to set piece threat)

RW/AM
T. Yengi (have watched him heaps, better in deeper attacking midfielder areas, can hold the ball up and bring others into the game, big body, blocks passing lanes in low block and another to draw attention at set pieces)

LW/AM
McGree (Probably our only natural player for this hybrid position)

CF
Toure (please, please, please announce yourself to the world at this tournament)
 
My initial disgust at the Leckie inclusion at this point in time has subsided and I think I've now landed that I can only stomach it if he's chosen as the second choice RWB behind Italiano.

His defensive capacity is there and we know what he can do going forward. Is his speed and mobility up to is at 35 though??

If Popa is going down this path then sure I'm all for the process. But not a chance in hell in the middle of the park give me a break!!
 
onedaywinners... said:
My initial disgust at the Leckie inclusion at this point in time has subsided and I think I've now landed that I can only stomach it if he's chosen as the second choice RWB behind Italiano.

His defensive capacity is there and we know what he can do going forward. Is his speed and mobility up to is at 35 though??

If Popa is going down this path then sure I'm all for the process. But not a chance in hell in the middle of the park give me a break!!
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I feel the same. His experience and leadership gives me confidence but I think he'll use it to offset error. If he starts stuffing up in the iddiel then he has to come off.
 
JS96 said:
I don't wish it on anyone but forcing our hand to remove those who've been complacent or can't do much with the ball can allow the best to play. I'm gutted for Miller but we got to see Italiano and now Bennie is promoted and hopefully there's awareness of Strain.

Miller is nowhere near our other centre backs. He'll be a squaddie in the future.

The same goes for O'Neill. He can do stuff but his immunity has allowed him to be lazy. Robertson has to play instead. He's played deeper and was fine.
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I really hope Robertson is in the squad, he offers so much creatively that is not so apparent in most of our other midfielders. The push for his inclusion seems to have dissipated a bit on this forum over the past few weeks though.
 
My problem with what Popovic is likely to pick and what most on here pick is that the players and the tactics are too samey. i.e. If Italiano needs replacing we'll replace him with Bennie. That's' not how you progress in a tournament.

Everyone remembers Australia vs Japan in 2006.

Guus basically figured a result of some sort was needed against Japan.

His changes made the difference.

Hiddink executed three pivotal tactical shifts:
52nd Minute: Tim Cahill replaced midfielder Mark Bresciano, slotting into an aggressive attacking midfield role.
61st Minute: Striker Joshua Kennedy replaced central defender Craig Moore. Culina at times (at other times just leaving Neill and Chipperfield at the back) dropped back to fill the void in defense, freeing up a position up front.
75th Minute: Striker John Aloisi replaced midfielder Luke Wilkshire, fully locking in the final four-man frontline.

Schwarzer

Culina Neill Chipperfield

Emerton Grella Kewell

Cahill

Kennedy Viduka Aloisi

When you pick a squad you need to pick players that can play multiple roles - like Culina and Kewell - and players that can change the way you play. I'm not seeing a lot of that at all. With 26 players now those last 3 (at least) need to be the game changers. - people that offer something different.
 
patjennings said:
My problem with what Popovic is likely to pick and what most on here pick is that the players and the tactics are too samey. i.e. If Italiano needs replacing we'll replace him with Bennie. That's' not how you progress in a tournament.

Everyone remembers Australia vs Japan in 2006.

Guus basically figured a result of some sort was needed against Japan.

His changes made the difference.

Hiddink executed three pivotal tactical shifts:
52nd Minute: Tim Cahill replaced midfielder Mark Bresciano, slotting into an aggressive attacking midfield role.
61st Minute: Striker Joshua Kennedy replaced central defender Craig Moore. Culina at times (at other times just leaving Neill and Chipperfield at the back) dropped back to fill the void in defense, freeing up a position up front.
75th Minute: Striker John Aloisi replaced midfielder Luke Wilkshire, fully locking in the final four-man frontline.

Schwarzer

Culina Neill Chipperfield

Emerton Grella Kewell

Cahill

Kennedy Viduka Aloisi

When you pick a squad you need to pick players that can play multiple roles - like Culina and Kewell - and players that can change the way you play. I'm not seeing a lot of that at all. With 26 players now those last 3 (at least) need to be the game changers. - people that offer something different.
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Guus' solution to our lack of creativity in midfield was amazing when we had to chase a game. But i guess thats what made guus a class above any other coach we have had. I suspect there will only be subtle variations around pla. A

Who do we have that are really game changers tho that arent in peoples xi?
 
grazorblade said:
Guus' solution to our lack of creativity in midfield was amazing when we had to chase a game. But i guess thats what made guus a class above any other coach we have had. I suspect there will only be subtle variations around pla. A

Who do we have that are really game changers tho that arent in peoples xi?
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Triantis, Segecic, Volapto, Arena, Kalik, Arzani, Tilio. Oh wait...
 
grazorblade said:
Guus' solution to our lack of creativity in midfield was amazing when we had to chase a game. But i guess thats what made guus a class above any other coach we have had. I suspect there will only be subtle variations around pla. A

Who do we have that are really game changers tho that arent in peoples xi?
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People don't want Duke - but he is exactly what we need to shut out a game when our attackers are tiring. Chasing a game I'd be tempted to take Archie Goodwin. Do i think he'll start - no. But as an option to add when chasing a game he offers a different poaching profile.

The squad is to win against opponents with different strengths and weaknesses. We will be in different scenarios. Think about the opposition we will face in the group, how will you set up against each to protect your weaknesses and attack theirs. Then pick your first draft squad.

Then think about the progression through the group - what scenarios are you likely to face, adjust your squad accordingly. TBH that is as far as I would look. If you can pick a squad that can progress against a quality team like Turkiye, Alfaro's stingy Paraguay and the US all offering different challenges then the chances are that is the best squad you could have.
 
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