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2026 World Cup Squad

Anyone fancy youth to train with the squad at the WC like Kaz Patafata et al in 2006? Whole else was there? Sarkies? Is it too much of a distraction or a good experience for the camp?
 
JS96 said:
Anyone fancy youth to train with the squad at the WC like Kaz Patafata et al in 2006? Whole else was there? Sarkies? Is it too much of a distraction or a good experience for the camp?
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Given disruptions because of injury the fact we are at home and can bring a lot in easily I would think it would be advisable. Assess players against each other.

I've probably left some out that Popovic would pick (and indeed some I just missed) but this a group that will be under consideration (plus our injured players for the World Cup and the 2027 Asian cup or beyond.

Mathew Ryan, Paul Izzo, Joe Gauci, Steve Hall, Patrick Beach, Dylan Periac-Cullen, Jacob Italiano, Lucas Herrington, Hayden Mathews, Kye Rowles, Jason Geria, Ryan Strain, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, Jacob Farrell, Callum Elder, Aziz Behich, Connor Metcalfe, Cammy Devlin, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Joshua Nisbet, Alex Robertson, Max Balard, Mitch Duke, Nestory Irankunda, Garang Kuol, Adrian Segecic, Zachary Sapsford, Daniel Bennie, Nishan Vellupillay, Cristian Volpato, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Antonio Arena
 
While we're all guilty of it but the 'cap him' message is often in jest. Football 360 have increased their 'could he be a WC smokey' posts of late. Not Fox Sports or Paartalu levels but that's what set them apart. There are so many players I'd actually label as 'next cycle'. Trewin shouldn't be going to this WC but will be handy for the next cycle.
 
JS96 said:
While we're all guilty of it but the 'cap him' message is often in jest. Football 360 have increased their 'could he be a WC smokey' posts of late. Not Fox Sports or Paartalu levels but that's what set them apart. There are so many players I'd actually label as 'next cycle'. Trewin shouldn't be going to this WC but will be handy for the next cycle.
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Trewin could be the midfielder + CB cover that opens up a squad spot. But I reckon that would mean no Devlin.
 
This is my current World Cup squad.

26-MAN SQUAD

Centre Forward:
[ ] Mohamed Toure
[ ] Mitchell Duke
[ ] Zachary Sapsford
[ ] Antonio Arena

Right Forward:
[ ] Christian Volpato
[ ] Adrian Segecic

Left Forward:
[ ] Riley McGree
[ ] Nestory Irankunda

Centre Midfielder
[ ] Jackson Irvine
[ ] Alex Robertson
[ ] Max Balard
[ ] Connor Metcalfe
[ ] Ajdin Hrustic
[ ] Kai Trewin

Right Centre Back:
[ ] Alessandro Circati

Centre Back:
[ ] Harry Souttar
[ ] Lucas Herrington

Left Centre Back:
[ ] Cameron Burgess
[ ] Kye Rowles

Right Wing Back:
[ ] Jacob Italiano
[ ] Daniel Bennie

Left Wing Backs:
[ ] Jordan Bos
[ ] Callum Elder

Goalkeepers:
[ ] Mat Ryan
[ ] Paul Izzo
[ ] Joe Gauci

It was so hard to pick. We have a lot of even depth in midfield and inside forward.

Forwards:
I picked guys in form, scoring or with some point of difference. Toure, McGree, Sapsford, Segecic have all had great scoring form. I also wanted some pace so Toure, Irankunda and Bennie (listed as a defender) offer this. Duke offers experience and harrassment that will be useful. Volpato quality. Our CF depth is not great.

Edit: I added Arena. I wanted another CF. With no stand outs in that position I went wild card. He's a talent and has impacted at Serie A level. I'd give him some impact minutes late.

Unlucky: Boyle (NT form is bad), Suto (scoring + point of difference but misses out), K. Yengi (think coild be a good sub option), Silvera (inj.), Velupillay (form).

Midfield:
I think two of Irvine, Robertson and Balard is our best pairing. Robertson better ball progression. Balard better screening. Trewin to lock a game down + CB cover. Hrustic has offensive qualities our other mids don't have, so could be tactically useful. Metcalfe can play anywhere

Unlucky: Devlin (flexibility), O'Neill, Yazbek.

Defenders:
If fit Circati, Burgess and Souttar pick themselves. Herrington is so flexible and has great quality despite a lack of experience. Rowles is defensively exceptional. I think we lack depth after this.

Our wing backs. Bos picks himself. Elder is easily the next best performed. I hope we don't pick Behich. Italiano is the best performed heir to Miller. Bennie may be a bit of a stretch but I'd take him. His level is exceptional and he offers forward depth (wide or CF) and pace, so has flexibility. Metcalfe can also cover RB if we want.

Unlucky: Matthews (inj.), Geria (level), Degenek (age, level).

Goalkeepers:
Ryan + Izzo self explanatory. Gauci the best of the rest.

Unlucky: Maynard-Brewer

Best XI

McGree - Toure - Volpato
Irvine - Robertson
Bos ----------------------------------- Metcalfe
Burgess - Souttar - Circati
Ryan

​
 
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JS96 said:
O'Neill should have been dropped a previous window to get him fired up again. He's been very complacent. Sucks for Yazbek as he is tidy but something of a forgotten man.
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Yeah agree. I'm almost certain Popovic will pick both. I picked Hrustic over Yazbek but i'd be happy with either or. Yazbek good energy and box-to-box is handy.
 
Quicky said:
This is my current World Cup squad.

26-MAN SQUAD

Centre Forward:
[ ] Mohamed Toure
[ ] Mitchell Duke
[ ] Zachary Sapsford

Right Forward:
[ ] Christian Volpato
[ ] Adrian Segecic

Left Forward:
[ ] Riley McGree
[ ] Nestory Irankunda

Centre Midfielder
[ ] Jackson Irvine
[ ] Alex Robertson
[ ] Max Balard
[ ] Connor Metcalfe
[ ] Ajdin Hrustic
[ ] Kai Trewin

Right Centre Back:
[ ] Alessandro Circati

Centre Back:
[ ] Harry Souttar
[ ] Lucas Herrington

Left Centre Back:
[ ] Cameron Burgess
[ ] Kye Rowles

Right Wing Back:
[ ] Jacob Italiano
[ ] Daniel Bennie

Left Wing Backs:
[ ] Jordan Bos
[ ] Callum Elder

Goalkeepers:
[ ] Mat Ryan
[ ] Paul Izzo
[ ] Joe Gauci

It was so hard to pick. We have a lot of even depth in midfield and inside forward.

Forwards:
I picked guys in form, scoring or with some point of difference. Toure, McGree, Sapsford, Segecic have all had great scoring form. I also wanted some pace so Toure, Irankunda and Bennie (listed as a defender) offer this. Duke offers experience and harrassment that will be useful. Volpato quality. Our CF depth is not great.

Unlucky: Boyle (NT form is bad), Suto (scoring + point of difference but misses out), K. Yengi (think coild be a good sub option), Silvera (inj.), Velupillay (form).

Midfield:
I think two of Irvine, Robertson and Balard is our best pairing. Robertson better ball progression. Balard better screening. Trewin to lock a game down + CB cover. Hrustic has offensive qualities our other mids don't have, so could be tactically useful. Metcalfe can play anywhere

Unlucky: Devlin (flexibility), O'Neill, Yazbek.

Defenders:
If fit Circati, Burgess and Souttar pick themselves. Herrington is so flexible and has great quality despite a lack of experience. Rowles is defensively exceptional. I think we lack depth after this.

Our wing backs. Bos picks himself. Elder is easily the next best performed. I hope we don't pick Behich. Italiano is the best performed heir to Miller. Bennie may be a bit of a stretch but I'd take him. His level is exceptional and he offers forward depth (wide or CF) and pace, so has flexibility. Metcalfe can also cover RB if we want.

Unlucky: Matthews (inj.), Geria (level), Degenek (age, level).

Goalkeepers:
Ryan + Izzo self explanatory. Gauci the best of the rest.

Unlucky: Maynard-Brewer

Best XI

McGree - Toure - Volpato
Irvine - Robertson
Bos ----------------------------------- Metcalfe
Burgess - Souttar - Circati
Ryan

​
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Just noting you're missing a player - I believe it's squads of 26?
 
Quicky said:
This is my current World Cup squad.

26-MAN SQUAD

Centre Forward:
[ ] Mohamed Toure
[ ] Mitchell Duke
[ ] Zachary Sapsford
[ ] Antonio Arena

Right Forward:
[ ] Christian Volpato
[ ] Adrian Segecic

Left Forward:
[ ] Riley McGree
[ ] Nestory Irankunda

Centre Midfielder
[ ] Jackson Irvine
[ ] Alex Robertson
[ ] Max Balard
[ ] Connor Metcalfe
[ ] Ajdin Hrustic
[ ] Kai Trewin

Right Centre Back:
[ ] Alessandro Circati

Centre Back:
[ ] Harry Souttar
[ ] Lucas Herrington

Left Centre Back:
[ ] Cameron Burgess
[ ] Kye Rowles

Right Wing Back:
[ ] Jacob Italiano
[ ] Daniel Bennie

Left Wing Backs:
[ ] Jordan Bos
[ ] Callum Elder

Goalkeepers:
[ ] Mat Ryan
[ ] Paul Izzo
[ ] Joe Gauci

It was so hard to pick. We have a lot of even depth in midfield and inside forward.

Forwards:
I picked guys in form, scoring or with some point of difference. Toure, McGree, Sapsford, Segecic have all had great scoring form. I also wanted some pace so Toure, Irankunda and Bennie (listed as a defender) offer this. Duke offers experience and harrassment that will be useful. Volpato quality. Our CF depth is not great.

Edit: I added Arena. I wanted another CF. With no stand outs in that position I went wild card. He's a talent and has impacted at Serie A level. I'd give him some impact minutes late.

Unlucky: Boyle (NT form is bad), Suto (scoring + point of difference but misses out), K. Yengi (think coild be a good sub option), Silvera (inj.), Velupillay (form).

Midfield:
I think two of Irvine, Robertson and Balard is our best pairing. Robertson better ball progression. Balard better screening. Trewin to lock a game down + CB cover. Hrustic has offensive qualities our other mids don't have, so could be tactically useful. Metcalfe can play anywhere

Unlucky: Devlin (flexibility), O'Neill, Yazbek.

Defenders:
If fit Circati, Burgess and Souttar pick themselves. Herrington is so flexible and has great quality despite a lack of experience. Rowles is defensively exceptional. I think we lack depth after this.

Our wing backs. Bos picks himself. Elder is easily the next best performed. I hope we don't pick Behich. Italiano is the best performed heir to Miller. Bennie may be a bit of a stretch but I'd take him. His level is exceptional and he offers forward depth (wide or CF) and pace, so has flexibility. Metcalfe can also cover RB if we want.

Unlucky: Matthews (inj.), Geria (level), Degenek (age, level).

Goalkeepers:
Ryan + Izzo self explanatory. Gauci the best of the rest.

Unlucky: Maynard-Brewer

Best XI

McGree - Toure - Volpato
Irvine - Robertson
Bos ----------------------------------- Metcalfe
Burgess - Souttar - Circati
Ryan

​
Click to expand...
This is quite a strong squad! I’d probably swap Mitch Duke for Ante Šuto though.
 
Quicky said:
I added Arena. I wanted another CF. With no stand outs in that position I went wild card. He's a talent and has impacted at Serie A level. I'd give him some impact minutes late.
Click to expand...
You need to get him to change nationality to Australia first. Time is getting shorter for that to happen. I wouldn't count him in anything until he makes the change.
 
HonestSpursFan said:
This is quite a strong squad! I’d probably swap Mitch Duke for Ante Šuto though.
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I'd love Suto to get picked because his goal scoring form has been great. He also assists so has some balance. He fits Popovic's system. Wouldn't bat an eye lid if he got picked.

In my squad I thought we had enough cover at right forward. All of Volpato, Segecic, Metcalfe, Irankunda, Sapsford and Bennie could play there so lots of options. Conversely, we lack CF and I couldn't go past Duke for his experience, mentality, tactical variation and needed depth at CF. I wish someone had stepped up to take his place but no-one has.

I didn't mention Stama or Iredale but they may also be decent options as alternatives.
 
Bruce Ramsay said:
You need to get him to change nationality to Australia first. Time is getting shorter for that to happen. I wouldn't count him in anything until he makes the change.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's very true. My squad is bluesky so not thinking on those practicalities. Hopefully Arena features in Popovic's Europe trip. If Arena isn't an option I'd pick the best performed CF - I'd be looking at K. Yengi, Stama, Iredale ... if any are playing and in form.
 
GK
Ryan Izzo Gauci
CB
Circati Degenek Burgess Rowles Herrington
CB/DM
Trewin
RWB
Italiano
RWB/LW/CF
Bennie
LWB
Bos
LWB/RWB
Overy
DM
Irvine Ballard Robertson
DM/LW
Nisbet
RW
Segecic Volpato
LW
McGree Irankunda
LW/CF
Sapsford
DM/RWB/RW
Metcalfe
CF
Toure T Yengi Duke
 
Quicky said:
I'd love Suto to get picked because his goal scoring form has been great. He also assists so has some balance. He fits Popovic's system. Wouldn't bat an eye lid if he got picked.

In my squad I thought we had enough cover at right forward. All of Volpato, Segecic, Metcalfe, Irankunda, Sapsford and Bennie could play there so lots of options. Conversely, we lack CF and I couldn't go past Duke for his experience, mentality, tactical variation and needed depth at CF. I wish someone had stepped up to take his place but no-one has.

I didn't mention Stama or Iredale but they may also be decent options as alternatives.
Click to expand...
Suto is lots of end product but super low touch. Would need to be paired with a very strong wingback cm pairing
 
DandyCasey said:
GK
Ryan Izzo Gauci
CB
Circati Degenek Burgess Rowles Herrington
CB/DM
Trewin
RWB
Italiano
RWB/LW/CF
Bennie
LWB
Bos
LWB/RWB
Overy
DM
Irvine Ballard Robertson
DM/LW
Nisbet
RW
Segecic Volpato
LW
McGree Irankunda
LW/CF
Sapsford
DM/RWB/RW
Metcalfe
CF
Toure T Yengi Duke
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Souttar has to be picked! Even Souttar on one leg is still one of our most important players. Last World Cup, Souttar had VERY limited game time before being our best player at the tournament and I believe this time he'll have a few appearances and then be one of our best players again.
 
Bbouy said:
Souttar has to be picked! Even Souttar on one leg is still one of our most important players. Last World Cup, Souttar had VERY limited game time before being our best player at the tournament and I believe this time he'll have a few appearances and then be one of our best players again.
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Hopefully can get some/any minutes in the legs.
 
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