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2026 World Cup Squad

The reality is we are never going to be happy with the squad selected. When are we ever?

For me, the only two major disappointments so far are no McGree (which is unavoidable) and Borrello over Robertson.

Hypothetically, if Borrello and Nish were the ones dropped for the final 26, it's a good squad selected with my two biggest regrets being seeing no McGree and that I believe Robbo is good enough.

Selections like Younis, Adams, Bennie, RBR, whilst good on paper, were unlikely to be selected over the experience of Mabil, Leckie and Geria. Frustratingly so, but also understandably so in some parts.
 
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Three from here won't make it. Beach will be one. One of Geria and Degenek. I'd say raffle it between Borello, Velupillay, Mabil. Leckie is so lucky.

I'm frustrated to say the least. Knew it was coming with Popovic who's a regressive and negative manager. We should have had Triantis, Segecic, Robertson, Sapsford, Bennie in there if we had someone decent to lead and manage the team. Some danger in midfield and depth in attack. Popovic has cooked it.
 
JM47 said:
The reality is we are never going to be happy with the squad selected. When are we ever?

For me, the only two major disappointments so far are no McGree (which is unavoidable) and Borrello over Robertson.

Hypothetically, if Borrello and Nish were the ones dropped for the final 26, it's a good squad selected with my two biggest regrets being seeing no McGree and that I believe Robbo is good enough.

Selections like Younis, Adams, Bennie, RBR, whilst good on paper, were unlikely to be selected over the experience of Mabil, Leckie and Geria. Frustratingly so, but also understandably so in some parts.
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I am pretty much in agreement with this.

Robertson is the one I would really like. But I have to accept he doesn't really fit the profile for what Popa is after in a CM at the moment.

Borello looks fortunate. But even as a WSW supporter, I haven't watched them much, I haven't seen him in camp. It does seem he had scope at the edges of the squad to bring in one or two more kids for the future. Bennie or Younis for Borello.

But we have Herrington, Okon, Irankunda, Toure, Cicati, Beach under 23s. These guys are young. In any other cycle we would be over the moon to have two of these guys. And they are so talented they aren't even future picks, likely starters, there is a world where they all go onto a top 5 league.

2022
Joel King 22 - even at the time no one was excited by this selection
Kuol 18 - hype was real but has not kicked on. Bench minutes

2018
Daniel Arzani 19 - injuries hurt him but attitude looks to have held him back as well. Bench minutes

2014 - the only comparable WC. But we all know the context.
Ryan 22 - starter
Davidson 22 - solid Aliga. Started WC
Wright 21 - stalwart socceroo. no minutes
Luongo 21 - if only but for injuries. no minutes
Oar 22 - solid Aliga. Started
Halloran 21 - solid Aliga. bench minutes
Taggart 21 - quality Aliga. Bench minutes

2010
Rukavystsya 22 - solid Aliga. Bench minutes v Ghana

2006
Mark Milligan - Future stalwart but no minutes

Only Ange had more young kids. It is fair to say 2014 was an outlier squad because of the big generational change. I wanted Younis, Bennie, Arena, Robertson but this is a bit greedy. At a certain point experience becomes very thin on the ground.
 
Robbos said:
Really hard to understand that!!!!! Especially with McGree out, very workman like midfield.
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Nah, it’s clear what Poppa wants in his midfield and creativity isn’t it.

Poppa seems to reflect his own style as a player more than most other coaches. No nonsense defender who dedicates the team to stopping the other side with goals as a luxury. Should go coach in Serie C.
 
Quicky said:
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Three from here won't make it. Beach will be one. One of Geria and Degenek. I'd say raffle it between Borello, Velupillay, Mabil. Leckie is so lucky.

I'm frustrated to say the least. Knew it was coming with Popovic who's a regressive and negative manager. We should have had Triantis, Segecic, Robertson, Sapsford, Bennie in there if we had someone decent to lead and manage the team. Some danger in midfield and depth in attack. Popovic has cooked it.
Click to expand...
Brandon Borrello and Jason Geria. It has to be. Maybe even take four goalies and no Matt Leckie or Nish Velupillay.

Anyway, if we get grouped we have to sack Tony Popović. He’s a good A-League manager but that’s his level. Bring back Ange Postecoglou or get Kevin Muscat.
 
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