2026 World Cup Squad

[Dan_The_Red]

So Volpato is listed on FIFA's change of eligibility platform, I'm assuming that's it he's now eligible and free to play?

 

[LFC]

Yep done officially AUS !

 

[Pasquali]

So Volpato is listed on FIFA's change of eligibility platform, I'm assuming that's it he's now eligible and free to play?

Yes he finally chose bunnings snags over pasta

 

[Pasquali]

All this volpato news and I only realised that Mexico game is in less than a day

 

[NicCarBel]

All this volpato news and I only realised that Mexico game is in less than a day

wow same here - why did i think it was during the week?

 

[DandyCasey]

Still thinking it would be preferable to start Yengi on one of the wings, with Popas omission of Robertson and a likey creativity gap in midfield.

Thinking Popa-ball will have us sitting deep for extended periods without an outlet..... Aimless long all, absorb pressure, rinse and repeat.

 

[socceroosmad]

The four cut will be Velupillay, Rowles, Gauci and Borello. It has to be.

Borello or Yengi
Gauci or Beach
Velupillay or Mabil
Rowles or Geria

Velupillay ovver Hrustic please
AI says: "Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay has registered 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 senior international caps, while midfielder Ajdin Hrustić has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in his World Cup qualifying career"

 

[Bbouy]

Velupillay ovver Hrustic please
AI says: "Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay has registered 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 senior international caps, while midfielder Ajdin Hrustić has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in his World Cup qualifying career"

I wouldn't be mad with it. I rate Velupillay solidly. It just feels like Hrustic has this mystic immunity from squad cuts, annoyingly.

I actually have changed my mind, I think Mabil will be cut over Velupillay.

 

[socceroosmad]

One of the dual 10s, on the right cutting in and creating. Metcalfe will probably be the other because he can attack but also stiffen the midfield to create a 3.

Irankunda doesn't fit Popa's system neatly other than as a 9. He will be the danger/chaos sub. Having options is nice.

Volpato starts in this system I think - especially with McGree out.

 

[socceroosmad]

If Irankunda doesn't fit Popa's system then drop Popovic not Irankunda

 

[socceroosmad]

I'm glad we've got Volapto but this is just another Popovic deviation when it comes to picking players based on merit and system. Nisbet warrants a chance as do many more.

It's the speed of the inclusion that irks me but there must have been a lot more happening in the background.

I reckon a lot would have started happening, including in Volpato's head, on March 31st 2026 when Italy lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina

 

[socceroosmad]

Izzo, Circati, Italiano, Borrello. Is that everyone with an Italian name?

Well apparently there's also some guy called Volpato

 

[DandyCasey]

If Irankunda doesn't fit Popa's system then drop Popovic not Irankunda

Not a bad suggestion lol

 

[socceroosmad]

I've always thought Irankunda plays better as a super sub.

That's because Popovic defends for the first 60-70 minutes. Leaving Irankunda on the bench until then is a waste of his talents. A bolder coach would build the team around Irankunda

 

[LFC]

That's because Popovic defends for the first 60-70 minutes. Leaving Irankunda on the bench until then is a waste of his talents. A bolder coach would build the team around Irankunda

now incl Volpato as well.
Circati/Volpato/Irakunda/Bos/Toure - there's the core.
* I added in Toure up front.

 

[verrelli]

Must have been working too hard recently. Had the weirdest dream last night that suddenly 16 days before the first match against Turkiye that Volpato suddenly decided to declare for Australia and Popovic flew him straight across to the US to join the 29-man training squad, with the expectation that he'll be in our final 26 man squad. There was even a bit where he scrubbed the Azzuri from his socials and replaced it with the Socceroos. So wild right!!?! I need to get more sleep!

 

[LFC]

Must have been working too hard recently. Had the weirdest dream last night that suddenly 16 days before the first match against Turkiye that Volpato suddenly decided to declare for Australia and Popovic flew him straight across to the US to join the 29-man training squad, with the expectation that he'll be in our final 26 man squad. There was even a bit where he scrubbed the Azzuri from his socials and replaced it with the Socceroos. So wild right!!?! I need to get more sleep!

yer dream on - next Goodwin gets good win game time haha

 

[Pasquali]

That's because Popovic defends for the first 60-70 minutes. Leaving Irankunda on the bench until then is a waste of his talents. A bolder coach would build the team around Irankunda

I agree but at the end of the day we have popa as of now so that’s why irankunda should be coming off the bench

 

[tsf]

first World Cup or big tournament in donkeys where we are going in with decent forwards (by our standards)

Central midfield is horrible though - critical for a big player here.

 

[JM47]

first World Cup or big tournament in donkeys where we are going in with decent forwards (by our standards)

Central midfield is horrible though - critical for a big player here.

I have my doubts about O'Neill but Irvine has proven the past few tournaments and especially in Australian outfits on the back foot to be a very good and important player.

No reason to think he won't do the same this June. But I suppose it'll remain to be seen.