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2026 World Cup Squad

Baccus would've been an easy choice as he played RWB for a short bit Japan away and his acceleration and swift passing works well.

Absolutely wish it on no one but if some injuries happen it'll make Popovic have fewer headaches.
 
Just realize you also have Teague. I suppose since Brattan and Caceres both have played for the roos, they can be considered a chance too

So total pool of CMs who could make it

1. Irvine
2. O'Niell
3. Devlin
4. Balard
5.Yazbek
6. Robbo
7. Hrustic
8. Burgess
9. Scicluna
10. Okon
11. Teague
12. Brattan
13. Caceres
14. Trewin
 
grazorblade said:
Just realize you also have Teague. I suppose since Brattan and Caceres both have played for the roos, they can be considered a chance too

So total pool of CMs who could make it

1. Irvine
2. O'Niell
3. Devlin
4. Balard
5.Yazbek
6. Robbo
7. Hrustic
8. Burgess
9. Scicluna
10. Okon
11. Teague
12. Brattan
13. Caceres
14. Trewin
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en.wikipedia.org

Australia men's national soccer team - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

And then there's Kalik who I'd argue has the best football brain of the bunch. The good thing about the Popovic camps is the wiki file got much longer to see our depth.
 
grazorblade said:
So a short list of 15
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Add a zero just to be sure all bases are covered. Who's our deep lying play maker with potential wing bursts and sound crosses while also being a threat at set plays? Did I mention penalty taker?
 
grazorblade said:
Just realize you also have Teague. I suppose since Brattan and Caceres both have played for the roos, they can be considered a chance too

So total pool of CMs who could make it

1. Irvine
2. O'Niell
3. Devlin
4. Balard
5.Yazbek
6. Robbo
7. Hrustic
8. Burgess
9. Scicluna
10. Okon
11. Teague
12. Brattan
13. Caceres
14. Trewin
Click to expand...
And yet I don't see Nisbet.
 
patjennings said:
And yet I don't see Nisbet.
grazorblade said:
bit rough on him, but with poppa having only 2 mids who are often competing for aerial duals close to the 18 yard box I can't imagine him selecting nisbet
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Then have a look at the ones you listed above him. He is a different style of CM. Seems more complete than many others.

He's strong in dribbling, likes to play short combinations, and maintains possession under pressure. Adds a layer of creativity and progression in midfield phases where the Socceroos sometimes lack incision or composure on the ball.

He is versatile across midfield roles. He can operate as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger, or even forward. This adaptability gives Popovic tactical flexibility, especially in transitional or high-pressing setups.

He's combative, tactically mature, and competes physically through smart positioning and tenacity rather than brute strength using his body well to protect the ball.
 
patjennings said:
Then have a look at the ones you listed above him. He is a different style of CM. Seems more complete than many others.

He's strong in dribbling, likes to play short combinations, and maintains possession under pressure. Adds a layer of creativity and progression in midfield phases where the Socceroos sometimes lack incision or composure on the ball.

He is versatile across midfield roles. He can operate as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger, or even forward. This adaptability gives Popovic tactical flexibility, especially in transitional or high-pressing setups.

He's combative, tactically mature, and competes physically through smart positioning and tenacity rather than brute strength using his body well to protect the ball.
Click to expand...
I forgot about him. Most interestingly, I also think he could do well at rwb where we have far fewer good options.
 
A real out of the box idea would be arzani at rwb, at least as an option when chasing the game
 
Funnily enough I was going to make the point of why I prefer Nisbet over Hrustic because of his versatility and was going to say that Hrustic is behind Irvine, McGree. Robertson and Metcalfe in the more advanced position.

The I realised I didn't see McGree or Metcalfe. I see Metcalfe and Nisbet as similar players, great football intelligence and able to play in many positions.
 
grazorblade said:
A real out of the box idea would be arzani at rwb, at least as an option when chasing the game
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A lot of rwb hang a bit forward and the midfield and centre back cover. This is perhaps more common with a team that suffocates its opponent. I remember Dortmund having fullbacks way up with a back 4 and you couldn't breathe.
 
grazorblade said:
Just realize you also have Teague. I suppose since Brattan and Caceres both have played for the roos, they can be considered a chance too

So total pool of CMs who could make it

1. Irvine
2. O'Niell
3. Devlin
4. Balard
5.Yazbek
6. Robbo
7. Hrustic
8. Burgess
9. Scicluna
10. Okon
11. Teague
12. Brattan
13. Caceres
14. Trewin
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This is the list of mids used/or brought into squads in the double pivot by Popovic. Games played in brackets, but may be slightly out.

[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler
[ ] Robertson
[ ] Triantis

Then those that could play there but were used at inside forward

[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
 
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grazorblade said:
A real out of the box idea would be arzani at rwb, at least as an option when chasing the game
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I'd like any 2 of Baccus (subject to how he returns from a fairly serious injury), Thurgate, Nisbet or O'Neill in the squad for rwb. I have very little hope any will be selected other than O'Neill, but for one of the dm/cm spots. I'm looking to previous squads and teams in guessing who will go first to the March friendlies and then to the WC. On that basis, Italiano would have the inside running and not a bad option, albeit a left-footer. Others in Popa's mix might be Silvera and Geria. Left-field could be Behich (with Elder back-up lwb) and Strain who Popa might have included in previous squads if not for injury and perhaps would want to look at. James Overy unless he impresses massively in March training surely Asian Cup and beyond.
 
dr. bellows said:
I'd like any 2 of Baccus (subject to how he returns from a fairly serious injury), Thurgate, Nisbet or O'Neill in the squad for rwb. I have very little hope any will be selected other than O'Neill, but for one of the dm/cm spots. I'm looking to previous squads and teams in guessing who will go first to the March friendlies and then to the WC. On that basis, Italiano would have the inside running and not a bad option, albeit a left-footer. Others in Popa's mix might be Silvera and Geria. Left-field could be Behich (with Elder back-up lwb) and Strain who Popa might have included in previous squads if not for injury and perhaps would want to look at. James Overy unless he impresses massively in March training surely Asian Cup and beyond.
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Silvera has a stress fracture and will likely be back after the international break. Hopefully in the squad for the WC. He is one of three that I want to see in the squad for their versatility, the others being Metcalfe and Nisbet. Between the three of them they have played every position except GK.
 
patjennings said:
Silvera has a stress fracture and will likely be back after the international break. Hopefully in the squad for the WC. He is one of three that I want to see in the squad for their versatility, the others being Metcalfe and Nisbet. Between the three of them they have played every position except GK.
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Thanks, I'd missed that about Silvera. That probably hurts his chances.
 
Sorry but there 's absolutely no chance Trewin is in the running for a gig at CM.
Scicluna hasn't a chance either in the WC squad.

And if Arzani plays at RWB in a WC then the world truly has gone to shit.
 
onedaywinners... said:
Sorry but there 's absolutely no chance Trewin is in the running for a gig at CM.
Scicluna hasn't a chance either in the WC squad.

And if Arzani plays at RWB in a WC then the world truly has gone to shit.
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We sustain ourselves on long shortlists as oxymoronic as it sounds :D

I was also surprised at some names listed but it gets our heads geared for the next cycle. I'd love to see Quintal included but September is too early for A League players and then we're nearing the Asian Cup.

I feel resting the odd player in some windows is good to limit the travel.
 
JS96 said:
We sustain ourselves on long shortlists as oxymoronic as it sounds :D

I was also surprised at some names listed but it gets our heads geared for the next cycle. I'd love to see Quintal included but September is too early for A League players and then we're nearing the Asian Cup.

I feel resting the odd player in some windows is good to limit the travel.
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It's not the youngsters I worry about - they're for the next cycle. It's the recycled ones that they keep mentioning.
s
 
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