2026 World Cup Squad

[highkick05]

Looks decent enough

 

[HonestSpursFan]

View attachment 6459

Based on Tony Popovic's most recent 26-man squad selection for the 2026 windows leading up to the World Cup, here is the projected starting XI and the full list of substitutes, lining up in Popovic's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Starting XI​

Position	Player	Club
GK (C)	Mathew Ryan	Levante UD
CB	Alessandro Circati	Parma
CB	Harry Souttar	Leicester City
CB	Cameron Burgess	Swansea City
RWB	Jacob Italiano	Grazer AK
CM	Aiden O'Neill	New York City FC
CM	Connor Metcalfe	St Pauli
LWB	Jordan Bos	Feyenoord
RAM	Martin Boyle	Hibernian
LAM	Riley McGree	Middlesbrough
ST	Deni Juric	Wisla Plock

(Note: While Mitchell Duke and Kusini Yengi have been strong options previously, Deni Juric has been highly favored as a target man heading into the final pre-camp).

Substitutes (The 15-Man Bench)
Goalkeepers:
Paul Izzo (Randers FC)
Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)

Defenders:
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City) - Veteran LWB option
Milos Degenek (Apoel FC) - Experienced CB cover
Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian / DC United) - Left-sided CB cover
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata) - Versatile right-sided defender
Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids) - Young breakout CB prospect
Kai Trewin (New York City FC)

Midfielders:
Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo) - Creative spark and set-piece specialist
Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City) - Dynamic central progression
Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC)

Forwards / Wingers:
Nestory Irankunda (Watford) - The explosive "X-Factor" off the bench
Awer Mabil (CD Castellón)
Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory)
Ante Suto (Hibernian)

So basically the FIFA Series squad?

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

View attachment 6459

Based on Tony Popovic's most recent 26-man squad selection for the 2026 windows leading up to the World Cup, here is the projected starting XI and the full list of substitutes, lining up in Popovic's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Starting XI​

Position	Player	Club
GK (C)	Mathew Ryan	Levante UD
CB	Alessandro Circati	Parma
CB	Harry Souttar	Leicester City
CB	Cameron Burgess	Swansea City
RWB	Jacob Italiano	Grazer AK
CM	Aiden O'Neill	New York City FC
CM	Connor Metcalfe	St Pauli
LWB	Jordan Bos	Feyenoord
RAM	Martin Boyle	Hibernian
LAM	Riley McGree	Middlesbrough
ST	Deni Juric	Wisla Plock

(Note: While Mitchell Duke and Kusini Yengi have been strong options previously, Deni Juric has been highly favored as a target man heading into the final pre-camp).

Substitutes (The 15-Man Bench)
Goalkeepers:
Paul Izzo (Randers FC)
Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)

Defenders:
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City) - Veteran LWB option
Milos Degenek (Apoel FC) - Experienced CB cover
Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian / DC United) - Left-sided CB cover
Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata) - Versatile right-sided defender
Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids) - Young breakout CB prospect
Kai Trewin (New York City FC)

Midfielders:
Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo) - Creative spark and set-piece specialist
Alexander Robertson (Cardiff City) - Dynamic central progression
Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)
Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC)

Forwards / Wingers:
Nestory Irankunda (Watford) - The explosive "X-Factor" off the bench
Awer Mabil (CD Castellón)
Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory)
Ante Suto (Hibernian)

Surprised that Jackson Irvine does not make the playing list altogether and Aiden O'Neill should not be starting in central midfield ahead of either Patrick Yazbek or Alex Robertson.

 

[highkick05]

Surprised that Jackson Irvine does not make the playing list altogether and Aiden O'Neill should not be starting in central midfield ahead of either Patrick Yazbek or Alex Robertson.

Only thing against Irvine is his age I guess.

But eh! You do realise we'll be seeing Behich @ LB all World Cup dont u

sorry I forgot the "this is the way"

can you post gify's in here ?

 

[highkick05]

 

[highkick05]

ye that'll do it

 

[Keeper66]

Surprised that Jackson Irvine does not make the playing list altogether and Aiden O'Neill should not be starting in central midfield ahead of either Patrick Yazbek or Alex Robertson.

It’s just AI crap, which has just re-selected the most recent squad and added Souttar. Not even worth debating.

 

[GoAussies]

Per wikipedia

From the preliminary squad (55 players submitted 11 May), the final list of at most 26 and at least 23 players per national team will be submitted to FIFA by 1 June, ten days prior to the opening match of the tournament.

---------------------

So the Mexico game is before the final 26 is named and the Switzerland game is after that. An extended squad for the camp including both matches would presumably be 30 plus so that all fringe/injured players are around the squad in the leadup to the final cut.

It's a big month and a bit for players who are nominally #21-#40 to show their club form and fitness and stake their claim.

 

[melbcityguy]

Archie goodwin a smokey?

 

[DandyCasey]

Here is Scicluna and....crikey

I've seen plenty of players where I hope they could play straight away in the big 5 (of course, back the players every time) but I've never seen a player where they look a real chance....should probably go bundesliga 2 or something first just in case
View attachment 6423

I have been watching him more, looks a class above but probably not the best at tracking runners in a dysfunctional side, and would say prone to losing the ball say 1 out of 10 times in tight dangerous areas. More capable of causing a moment of havoc in Popas system over Metcalfe or Hrustic in that advanced role if you ask me. Would be interested in seeing Thurgates stats and Pantazopoulos.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Archie goodwin a smokey?

Potentially!! He’s in good form for Charlotte!