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2026 World Cup Squad

October, changes in bold:

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford

Since October Velupillay has worked his way back in. I really like Yazbek. Kuol over Boyle for me too now.
 
HonestSpursFan said:
So far I'm thinking (in order of surname):
  • Goalkeepers: Beach, Izzo, Ryan
  • Defenders: Bos, Burgess, Circati, Elder, Iredale, Matthews, Miller, Rowles, Souttar
  • Midfielders: Balard, Devlin, Hrustić, Irvine, McGree, Metcalfe, Volpato
  • Forwards: Bennie, Botić, Irankunda, Kuol, Sapsford, Segečić, Tilio, Mo Touré
Would be willing to consider many others. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Don't think Botic will be fit in time if he is a month into being 6-9 months out.

football360.com.au

Socceroos striker's World Cup hopes over after serious training injury

Striker Noah Botic will miss six to nine months according to his club Austria Wien after suffering a serious injury in training.
football360.com.au football360.com.au
 
verrelli said:
I've been thinking about this for a while. This would be my 2026 squad if I was manager (not who I think Popa will pick). Note: I am not considering Volpato at this time.

GK: Ryan, Izzo, Beach

DEF: Miller, Geria, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Matthews, Rowles, Bos, Behich

MID: Irvine, Balard, Devlin, Metcalfe, McGree, Hrustic, Irankunda, Goodwin, Segecic, Vellupilay

FWD: Toure, Sapsford, Caputo, Boyle

Notable Omissions: Gauci, Degenek, Trewin, Iredale, Italiano, Strain, Elder, Karacic, O'Neill, Robertson, Okon-Engstler, Yazbek, Nisbet, Silvera, Arzani, Tilio, Kuol, Milanovic, Duke, D'Agostino, Yengi, Stamatelopoulos, Badolato, Jovanovic
Click to expand...
I still dont know How Boyle can be useful in the team?
If he playing the opposition team and whoever marking him should be smiling
 
mkxx said:
I still dont know How Boyle can be useful in the team?
If he playing the opposition team and whoever marking him should be smiling
Click to expand...
Disappointing for Australia but good for Hibs. We never use him where he's plucky near goal. Keep him wide and he gets lost and he has his own laziness.

I want whoever is selected to leave it all out there. This is what they've worked to get and silence their doubters. I just don't get how a player can go half hearted into a world cup game.
 
JS96 said:
Disappointing for the Socceroos but good for Hibs. We never use him where he's plucky near goal. Keep him wide and he gets lost and he has his own laziness.

I want whoever is selected to leave it all out there. This is what they've worked to get and silence their doubters. I just don't get how a player can go half hearted into a world cup game.
Click to expand...
Reverse Hayley Raso?
 
mkxx said:
I still dont know How Boyle can be useful in the team?
If he playing the opposition team and whoever marking him should be smiling
Click to expand...
He was the last of the 26 that I added and I did it somewhat reluctantly but the reality is that we have so few consistent goal scorers, and he's about as prolific as we've got. I don't overly rate him on the wing any more but I do think he has an eye for goal which is why I've intentionally listed him separately as a forward.
 
verrelli said:
He was the last of the 26 that I added and I did it somewhat reluctantly but the reality is that we have so few consistent goal scorers, and he's about as prolific as we've got. I don't overly rate him on the wing any more but I do think he has an eye for goal which is why I've intentionally listed him separately as a forward.
Click to expand...
I think it's a fair assessment. Once we finally get Bos on I think we'll see the two listed ahead of the midfielders to start narrowing and playing less of a wing role. This is ideal for McGree and Metcalfe. Of course any professional can move inward or outward but past games with wingers and wing backs have seen some smothering.

In saying that Irankunda against NZ played the role best.

I find Popovic's system has too many players static with their back to the goal instead of running onto the ball. Players then overlap and overstretch leaving massive space between each other.
 
mkxx said:
I still dont know How Boyle can be useful in the team?
If he playing the opposition team and whoever marking him should be smiling
Click to expand...
He has failed to flatter as an inverted winger, feel he could be more effective if Popas formation was tweaked to a front two although would face some stiff competition in a winger come striker role.
 
This is a forecast world cup 26- man squad from Football 360. It's pretty safe, conservative and realistic. They've pretty much included anyone who has already featured heavily in qualification + a few in form guys. Hard to fault the effort but I'm hoping for different.

1000017597.jpg
 
If we are going to play counter-attacking football - which we will, we need speed. Irankunda and Toure have it. But we need to overload on speed. Spots need to be found for Velupillay and Kuol. Duke will be okay for 20-30 mins of shutting down but Boyle has lost a yard or two.
 
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The 360 squad is way too safe. Need Segecic, Goodwin and a couple of others. Way too many who can play centre back.
 
Quicky said:
This is a forecast world cup 26- man squad from Football 360. It's pretty safe, conservative and realistic. They've pretty much included anyone who has already featured heavily in qualification + a few in form guys. Hard to fault the effort but I'm hoping for different.

View attachment 5004
Click to expand...
Need to add Adrian Segečić. Can't have him jumping ship to Croatia.
 
JS96 said:
The 360 squad is way too safe. Need Segecic, Goodwin and a couple of others. Way too many who can play centre back.
Click to expand...
Nothing surer than having 6 CBs, 2 LWBs and 2 RWBs in this squad.

I reckon Goodwin will make the squad.

There's some other selection battles. Silvera v Italiano. Should include Strain but he won't feature imo.

Behich v Elder. Should easily be Elder. Behich has missed recent squads but in the AL off-season, so it's hard to know if he's out of favour or otherwise.

Boyles club form is okay but his national team form sucks. Ditto Hrustic. I'd prefer Segecic to Hrustic but as a CAM I reckon he'll get stitched up by our formation and miss.

Geria and Degenek have been cornerstones in qualification but their club form sucks so I'm not sure there. Their competition keeps getting injured though so hard to fault.
 
Quicky said:
Nothing surer than having 6 CBs, 2 LWBs and 2 RWBs in this squad.

I reckon Goodwin will make the squad.

There's some other selection battles. Silvera v Italiano. Should include Strain but he won't feature imo.

Behich v Elder. Should easily be Elder. Behich has missed recent squads but in the AL off-season, so it's hard to know if he's out of favour or otherwise.

Boyles club form is okay but his national team form sucks. Ditto Hrustic. I'd prefer Segecic to Hrustic but as a CAM I reckon he'll get stitched up by our formation and miss.

Geria and Degenek have been cornerstones in qualification but their club form sucks so I'm not sure there. Their competition keeps getting injured though so hard to fault.
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I like all the guys but if we cut Degenek and Rowles that still means Geria and Elder can play wing back or centre back in an emergency. In turn we can add a midfielder and a proper right wing back.
 
Quicky said:
I reckon our formation will make it hard for Segecic. He'll be the most unlucky if he misses.
Click to expand...
Haven't tracked Croatia lately but they might swoop in if word gets out he's not making our squad. Just got to take him. He's really good and could also be played as a 10. Popovic is all over the place.
 
Is there a reason why Mabil isn't being talked about much as a potential bolter? He's getting a lot of game time for a club towards the top of the Segunda and I think he'd be worth another look in March.
 
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