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2026 World Cup Squad

JM47 said:
Round Ball Australia, Soccerwhos, Green and Gold Podcast and The Aussie Game are good.
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Watched a heap of latest youtube podcasts including those above.
A lot of these podcast pundits suggesting Popa will stick to a regimented starting 11 he trusts.
Would make sense that Pop would go with players he know can actually play the system he wants.

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Probably look more like this ^
 
highkick05 said:
If I was Valpato or Nesta, and if they are genuinely passionate about sport, I would be mega pissed off seeing some of those players go out there before me hahaha. 'match fitness' 'injury niggle'. soft as cotton candy
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Starting the injured and lazy O'Neill, Leckie and Hrustic will be the death of us. Incompetence is rewarded.
 
Im expecting Robbo to do well in the Championship this yr at the base of midfield as he did last season.
Reading Cardiffs forum over the season they like his ability to read the game and hold possesion under pressure along with his passing range.
Surely he has to go to the Asian Cup and play.
I just dont understand the next to no gametime from Poppa
 
SpongeBobFC said:
Im expecting Robbo to do well in the Championship this yr at the base of midfield as he did last season.
Reading Cardiffs forum over the season they like his ability to read the game and hold possesion under pressure along with his passing range.
Surely he has to go to the Asian Cup and play.
I just dont understand the next to no gametime from Poppa
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Probably in a year or two he replaces irvine as our best mid in which case his partner will be chosen on a completely different set of criteria!
 
Decentric said:
Enjoyed the analysis, AS.

However, differ with a few points.

1. Compared to his highlights reel, Ithought Volpato was ineffectual. Popa claims his fitness is low. He chased a lot of ball, and appeared too lethargic to support the Roo ball carrier by ‘checking’ and opening viable passing lanes.

As for Aus’s best, technically, what I saw from Volpato, was not as good as Alex Robertson in terms of handling speed, and effective body position through quick footwork, when receiving and passing the ball on to a teammate in tight spaces. There are even players outside the senior Roo set up with a high level of technique. For the record I don’t think Robertson has enough experience to displace the current DMs in the Popa squad.

From what I’ve read Volpato is a bit awestruck with the professionalism in the Roo camp. The Swiss are pretty close to being a world powerhouse ATM. It would have been a step up from most Serie A teams.

It might be different when I look at a replay. Have only seen the second half replay ATM. I thought Metcalfe was far more effective than Volpato.

2. Agree with Souttar being a big presence. We are very lucky to have him back. Would I be correct in suggesting he may be having more success in international football than club football?

3. Good analysis of the Swiss goal. Impressive detail!

4. No differential in your analysis of the differing levels of Squeezing and Pressing by the Swiss in the two halves - and - how it affected how the Socceroos could play.

Notwithstanding, love reading analyses like yours, AS. Thanks for posting it here.

Keep posting them!
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Thank you for the kind words @Decentric. Re: Volpato, I wasn't blown away by him by any means. I stand by the argument, however, that he's the best technician in the squad. I feel the combination of his technique and size means he is the most complete player in the squad at playing between the lines. On 1-2 occasions, he was able to receive between the lines and either withstand pressure, turn forward and advance play or win a foul. Metcalfe was more effective, but fully fit and integrated into the system, which he should be by this weekend, I feel Volpato can be highly effective. I also think the fitness point requires some context. Several people have reported to me that the first few weeks of the Socceroos' training camp were extremely physically intensive with a huge focus on conditioning. Having missed that, Volpato is probably behind the rest of the squad, however, I don't think he is in general terms unfit.
 
scout_aussie said:
Thank you for the kind words @Decentric. Re: Volpato, I wasn't blown away by him by any means. I stand by the argument, however, that he's the best technician in the squad. I feel the combination of his technique and size means he is the most complete player in the squad at playing between the lines. On 1-2 occasions, he was able to receive between the lines and either withstand pressure, turn forward and advance play or win a foul. Metcalfe was more effective, but fully fit and integrated into the system, which he should be by this weekend, I feel Volpato can be highly effective. I also think the fitness point requires some context. Several people have reported to me that the first few weeks of the Socceroos' training camp were extremely physically intensive with a huge focus on conditioning. Having missed that, Volpato is probably behind the rest of the squad, however, I don't think he is in general terms unfit.
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I echo D's sentiments and thank you for your insights, as I also thank D for his hours spent compiling data on Socceroos matches. I think McGree was a huge loss for us. Since I haven't followed Volpato, I'm unsure as to what extent Volpato's inclusion ameliorates that loss but am encouraged by your assessment and others I have seen.
 
Regarding the omissions of Robertson, Balard and other contenders from the midfield 6, it's not that I would have opposed the inclusion of Robertson particularly but I didn't see him as a slam dunk. It must have been close, though. Given the injury clouds over Irvine and O'Neill, Metcalfe was the only slam dunk I had in the midfield 6.
 
scout_aussie said:
Thank you for the kind words @Decentric. Re: Volpato, I wasn't blown away by him by any means. I stand by the argument, however, that he's the best technician in the squad. I feel the combination of his technique and size means he is the most complete player in the squad at playing between the lines. On 1-2 occasions, he was able to receive between the lines and either withstand pressure, turn forward and advance play or win a foul. Metcalfe was more effective, but fully fit and integrated into the system, which he should be by this weekend, I feel Volpato can be highly effective. I also think the fitness point requires some context. Several people have reported to me that the first few weeks of the Socceroos' training camp were extremely physically intensive with a huge focus on conditioning. Having missed that, Volpato is probably behind the rest of the squad, however, I don't think he is in general terms unfit.
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I think they'll start Metcalfe left and Volpato right, then sub on Irankunda to replace Volpato.
 
dr. bellows said:
I echo D's sentiments and thank you for your insights, as I also thank D for his hours spent compiling data on Socceroos matches. I think McGree was a huge loss for us. Since I haven't followed Volpato, I'm unsure as to what extent Volpato's inclusion ameliorates that loss but am encouraged by your assessment and others I have seen.
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Thanks for that, Dr B.

It does take a lot of time.

Re stats and football in general I discuss it with another member of G and G off forum. Nearly every time he disagrees with a view I have he provides data to substantiate his view. Often when I evaluate the data it changes my views.

I had a perception of the English Championship and League 1 based on watching them a lot 7-10 years ago. He provided compelling stats they were becoming possession football leagues. When I saw Wrexham play AL teams I couldn’t believe a L1 team going up to the Champ were so improved tactically. He was right.

On the other hand a few of our posters have strong views some Roos are no good. Yet when data is put in front of them showing their scapegoats’ strengths, they are unwilling to change their view, or the value of the coach playing a specific player.

It has always happened. Brett Holman and Jade North were fan scapegoats of the past. Both had strengths their counterparts did not have to the same extent.

ATM Aziz Behich shows a lot of clever positioning and reading of the game. I thought based on Melb City ACL and AL games im the last year, he isn’t up to it anymore for the Roos, but against the Swiss he did some great covering of teammates’ mistakes.
 
dr. bellows said:
I echo D's sentiments and thank you for your insights, as I also thank D for his hours spent compiling data on Socceroos matches. I think McGree was a huge loss for us. Since I haven't followed Volpato, I'm unsure as to what extent Volpato's inclusion ameliorates that loss but am encouraged by your assessment and others I have seen.
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I agree scott_aussie comments re Volpato....
I have watched him for years, he is above all in our current squad no disrespect to any of them as he mentions.
Once he's settled in he will be very effective and what we've lacked in technique/nouse/strength between the lines.
Fit ? I'd say Poppa is being too cautious even though he was late to the party lacking prep he sure can't be that far behind the rest.
 
LFC said:
I agree scott_aussie comments re Volpato....
I have watched him for years, he is above all in our current squad no disrespect to any of them as he mentions.
Once he's settled in he will be very effective and what we've lacked in technique/nouse/strength between the lines.
Fit ? I'd say Poppa is being too cautious even though he was late to the party lacking prep he sure can't be that far behind the rest.
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LFC said:
I agree scott_aussie comments re Volpato....
I have watched him for years, he is above all in our current squad no disrespect to any of them as he mentions.
Once he's settled in he will be very effective and what we've lacked in technique/nouse/strength between the lines.
Fit ? I'd say Poppa is being too cautious even though he was late to the party lacking prep he sure can't be that far behind the rest.
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Volpato’s highlight package is good.

Impressive!

He wasn’t against the Swiss though. Looks a good long term prospect, but so does Marcus Younis.
 
Decentric said:
Volpato’s highlight package is good.

Impressive!

He wasn’t against the Swiss though. Looks a good long term prospect, but so does Marcus Younis.
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In fairness, he flew for hours, meets new team mates for the first time.
Hardly knows how they play let alone connecting, from the bench, can't expect any highlights in that short time.
 
dr. bellows said:
Regarding the omissions of Robertson, Balard and other contenders from the midfield 6, it's not that I would have opposed the inclusion of Robertson particularly but I didn't see him as a slam dunk. It must have been close, though. Given the injury clouds over Irvine and O'Neill, Metcalfe was the only slam dunk I had in the midfield 6.
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The defence must be strong to omit Rowles.

The central midfield must be strong to omit Balard.

Both have done well in stats/ data.

That Boyle was in the Roo frame until recently, and Hrustic is in the forwards, shows the Aus lack of depth in attack. Their data is mediocre over a long time, compared to McGree, Iran, Toure, Metcalfe, Villupillay.

Mabil’s finishing gets him in.

Juric did everything well except create chances!
 
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