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2026 World Cup Squad

So the list below are all those players who have been in Popovic squads including the current camp.

The TLDR
Expect Ryan, Silvera, Rowles, Trewin, Circati, Herrington, O'Neill (if fit), McGree and Juric to come into the squad.

I think Balard, Goodwin, Elder are likely unlucky and miss. Sapsford, T. Yengi and Younis also look unlikely despite speculation they may feature.

_______​

Blue = in current camp
Yellow = likely to make the camp
Purple = looking unlikely to make the camp
White = won't feature in the camp
Strikethrough = injured or lost dual national
Underlined = first time in a Popovic squad

The first couple that standout as probably unlucky are Balard, Elder and Goodwin.

I'm also very surprised Sapsford has not featured, noting some of the SPL Roos are already in camp.

GK
[ ] Gauci (3) (3-0)
[ ] Ryan (9) (9-0)
[ ] Izzo (3) (3-0)
[ ] Glover
[ ] Beach (1) (1-0)
[ ] Devenish-Meares (training)

RWB
[ ] Miller (14) (11-3)
[ ] Karacic (2) (0-2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1) (1-0)
[ ] Italiano (3) (3-0)
[ ] Overy
[ ] Borges-Rodrigues

CB
[ ] Deng (1) (1-0)
[ ] Rowles (6) (6-0)
[ ] Souttar (4) (4-0)
[ ] Geria (12) (8-4)
[ ] Burgess (15) (12-3)
[ ] Mathews (1) (1-0)
[ ] Degenek (9) (8-1)
[ ] Trewin (4) (3-1)
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (6) (6-0)
[ ] Ja. Iredale
[ ] Bonetig (training)
[ ] Esposito (training)
[ ] Herrington (2-0)
[ ] Stensness

LWB
[ ] Behich (9) (7-2)
[ ] Bos (10) (5-5)
[ ] Davidson
[ ] Elder (0-2)
[ ] Gersbach (training)

CM
[ ] O'Neill (15) (12-3) (injured)
[ ] Irvine (8) (7-1)
[ ] Baccus (1) (0-1)
[ ] Brattan (1) (1-0)
[ ] Yazbek (7) (2-5)
[ ] Caceres (4) (1-3)
[ ] Balard (5) (4-1)
[ ] Teague (4) (3-1)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Okon-Engstler (1) (1-3)
[ ] Robertson (1) (0-1)
[ ] Triantis
[ ] Leonard
[ ] Leckie

WF
[ ] Goodwin (5) (3-2)
[ ] Irankunda (9) (5-4)
[ ] McGree (10) (5-5)
[ ] Vellupillay (6) (2-4)
[ ] Hrustic (8) (4-4)
[ ] Boyle (10) (8-2)
[ ] Arzani (3) (0-3)
[ ] Metcalfe (10) (10-0)
[ ] Tilio (1) (0-1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1) (0-1)
[ ] A. Toure (0-1)
[ ] A. Suto
[ ] Bennie

CF
[ ] Duke (8) (4-4)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5) (2-3)
[ ] K. Yengi (2) (1-1)
[ ] Taggart (1) (1-0)
[ ] M. Toure (7) (4-3)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1) (1-0)
[ ] D. Juric (2-0)
 
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JS96 said:
Burgess is so weak at attacking set plays. Circati scored against Curacao while Souttar against Mexico was very satisfying.
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I really like Burgess but have been wondering if Herrington should start. Our midfield struggles to progress the ball. Whereas Circati and Herrington excel at that. It may help us cover that weakness if our defence can step out and contribute. A big hit to our experience though.
 
Quicky said:
I really like Burgess but have been wondering if Herrington should start. Our midfield struggles to progress the ball. Whereas Circati and Herrington excel at that. It may help us cover that weakness if our defence can step out and contribute. A big hit to our experience though.
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Watch how Circati took it upon himself against Cameroon to pass the ball as the midfielders kept going back.
 
Quicky said:
I really like Burgess but have been wondering if Herrington should start. Our midfield struggles to progress the ball. Whereas Circati and Herrington excel at that. It may help us cover that weakness if our defence can step out and contribute. A big hit to our experience though.
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I think Lucas Herrington should be given an opportunity to start despite not having nearly as much international experience as Cam Burgess especially given how highly he ranks in terms of chance creation and how crucial he can be at both centre back and in defensive midfield with regards to progressing the ball.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
I think Lucas Herrington should be given an opportunity to start despite not having nearly as much international experience as Cam Burgess especially given how highly he ranks in terms of chance creation and how crucial he can be at both centre back and in defensive midfield with regards to progressing the ball.
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Despite his lack of experience he's shown the composure on the ball.
Sure may be a risk but I agree he's worth starting up ahead of Burgess.
I'd pick him - Poppa listen haha
 
Alex M said:
Only Popovic and the coaching staff know. The players still to arrive should also know as the date for the Preliminary Squad list being given to FIFA has passed.
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Thanks, just wanted to know so I could pick my squad when it’s finalised.
 
Quicky said:
I really like Burgess but have been wondering if Herrington should start. Our midfield struggles to progress the ball. Whereas Circati and Herrington excel at that. It may help us cover that weakness if our defence can step out and contribute. A big hit to our experience though.
Click to expand...
With due respect, Quicky, in the Popa 3-4-3, 5--2-3, 5-4-1 system, the central midfielders play under a lot more time and space pressure than the three CBs. I have compelling evidence for this view.

In all three games against Colombia, Cameroon, Curacao, the three starting CBs in each game, when receiving and passing the ball, or ball carrying, had only high teens, 20 up to 30% of the time when they played under pressure of limited time and space.

So in 70- 80% of the time over a game, the CBs passed, or moved the ball, in a reasonable amount of time and space and little pressure.

If you look at the stats of the starting DMs in:

Colombia
O'Neill 64%
Irvine 75%

Cameroon
O'Neill 50%
Metcalfe 58%

Curacao
O'Neill 64%
Metcalfe 83%

Plus the midfield subs, Yazbek, Okon, Robertson, had about the same 50 - 80% balls received and played under pressure.

Hence CBs can have 15 - 40 balls more per game played without pressure. They can look good in time and space on the ball.

Summing up, Circati and Herrington don't excel in this facet of the game, more than the Socceroo midfielders. They have the luxury of often playing in more time and space. Popa has also set up with often an extra player in defence, and 1 less in midfield.

The latter facet of play tends to mean Aus central midfielders control in possession is harder, whilst whole team Socceroo defensive capability without the ball is higher, and often with the ball the CBs can look good in the back third/half.

The extra CB also provides more options on the ball in the back third/half unless an opposing team is consistently Full Pressing and Squeezing high up the pitch, with a high defensive line.
 
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Decentric said:
With due respect, Quicky, in the Popa 3-4-3, 5--2-3, 5-4-1 system, the central midfielders play under a lot more time and space pressure than the three CBs. I have compelling evidence for this view.

In all three games against Colombia, Cameroon, Curacao, the three starting CBs in each game, when receiving and passing the ball, or ball carrying, had only high teens, 20 up to 30% of the time when they played under pressure of limited time and space.

So in 70- 80% of the time over a game, the CBs passed, or moved the ball, in a reasonable amount of time and space and little pressure.

If you look at the stats of the starting DMs in:

Colombia
O'Neill 64%
Irvine 75%

Cameroon
O'Neill 50%
Metcalfe 58%

Curacao
O'Neill 64%
Metcalfe 83%

Plus the midfield subs, Yazbek, Okon, Robertson, had about the same 50 - 80% balls received and played under pressure.

Hence CBs can have 15 - 40 balls more per game played without pressure. They can look good in time and space on the ball.

Hence, Circati and Herrington don't excel in this facet of the game, more than the Socceroo midfielders. They have the luxury of often playing in more time and space. Popa has also set up with often an extra player in defence, and 1 less in midfield.

The latter facet of play tends to mean Aus central midfielders control in possession is harder, whilst whole team Socceroo defensive capability without the ball is higher, and often with the ball the CBs can look good in the back third/half.

The extra CB also provides more options on the ball in the back third/half unless an opposing team is consistently Full Pressing and Squeezing high up the pitch, with a high defensive line.
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I was referring to their club play which should translate to the national team, particularly under less pressure as you identify.

You didn't address the merits of having a ball playing CB vs Burgess which was the point of the post. I wasn't criticising our mids, rather acknowledging they are outnumbered and under pressure in this system, and spitballing ways to support them.
 
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Alex M said:
Guus was by far the best coach we ever had but that was 20 years ago with a much stronger squad. We won't get a similar coach again.

Popovic was the coach we needed two years ago. He is a good coach when you have a side of reasonably experienced journeyman type players as he has a solid defensive structure and a very conservative approach. I know its nominally a 3-4-3 but he usually only plays that way against weaker opposition. It tends to be a 5-4-1 or sometimes 5-2-2-1 when we play stronger or similar strength teams with us sitting back for at least the first 20 minutes.

With what I'm seeing of some of the younger players that should take us through the next couple of cycles I'm not sure that Popovic's tactical approach is the right one for the future. Unless he can change radically (unlikely I know) I think we need someone else to take us through the next cycle to take full advantage of the skills of the youngsters.
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Early days of course but if Mark Milligan continues to have success with his proactive attacking play, he could be a candidate for developing the next cycle
 
Alex M said:
I think the main contention here is that some posters prefer other players than the ones Popovic has picked. That's OK. As I've said before its all just opinions but in the end when it comes to team selection the coach gets the final say.
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There's no arguing that Popovic got us to qualify without needing playoffs after a dismal start under Arnold (0-1 v Bahrain (H); 0-0 v Indonesia (A)). Beating Japan 1-0 at home (ok dead rubber for them but still...) and Saudi 2-1 away - that success can't be overlooked.
patjennings said:
When Popovic says 'Paulie' will be the mainstay of the next two World Cups it says he is picking him with that in mind - not because of his current ability but for his potential. That is not a conspiracy - that is what he said. Now he can make that decision - he is the manager - but it also can weaken the squad.

I just thing on current form he is not the best choice. In reality Kamijo has been playing the deeper of the two since he came in and Okon (who has looked better further up) should be competing with McGree and Robertson for a spot .
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People used to argue that Miller was a red card in waiting. I'd argue Okon-Engstler is in the same category. I like his forward progressive instincts but he's not subtle in the tackle dept.
 
Quicky said:
I was referring to their club play which should translate to the national team, particularly under less pressure as you identify.

You didn't address the merits of having a ball playing CB vs Burgess which was the point of the post. I wasn't criticising our mids, rather acknowledging they are outnumbered and under pressure in this system, and spitballing ways to support them.
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Okay. All good.

Misunderstood the intent of the post.

Herrington and Circati are better ball players at CB than Burgess. As are Trewin and Rowles.
 
socceroosmad said:
There's no arguing that Popovic got us to qualify without needing playoffs after a dismal start under Arnold (0-1 v Bahrain (H); 0-0 v Indonesia (A)). Beating Japan 1-0 at home (ok dead rubber for them but still...) and Saudi 2-1 away - that success can't be overlooked.

People used to argue that Miller was a red card in waiting. I'd argue Okon-Engstler is in the same category. I like his forward progressive instincts but he's not subtle in the tackle dept.
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Well said about Popa’s success after Arnie’s slow start!
 
JS96 said:
I don't think it unsettles a squad when a play like Adams or Burgess should be introduced the national team and actually start.

The complacent players need to be put on notice and find the spark again. Players like Boyle and Leckie have had an immense amount of time delivering nothing.
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You're talking about the guy that got us to the Rd of 16 last WC with a brilliant solo goal against Denmark. Sure that was a one-off and not something he produced week in and out but to say he offered "nothing" is disrespectful IMHO
 
grazorblade said:
robertson paired well with okon mind you and would be good if chasing a game. Can also play in the half space as an inside forward but probably not first choice

but definitely not a partner for irvine
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I've never seen Robertson play, why do you like him so much? He is in 3rd tier in England ...
 
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