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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

Hillbilly55 said:
I would be happy with either. The team listed as a whole gives us depth and purpose. We could do some serious work in the WC with it.
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I've been watching a few podcasts and really worry that the squad will not be right. Popovic said he was looking at doing 'something special' - some of the podcasts have very unambitious squads. For me the front has to be young quick players with good dribbling skills. The only older player I consider up front is Duke, and only to come on at the end to defend from the front to protect a lead while still offering a danger.

I'm also wary of many of the podcasters looking at the 26 players as 3 keepers 2 for every position and 3 extras. I would have had Silvera (now injured) as the backup to Miller (injured now) because of his versatility and expecting Miller to play most of the time at RWB. Other players like Metcalfe are able to play in multiple positions. The squad needs to the best squad for how we want to play, not necessarily the best 2 players in each of the positions. We are going to play counter attacking football almost certainly. Set your squad up for that.

Paartalu said he would be happy with three draws. If we pick the wrong squad that is probably a dream result. If we pick the right squad we can do some serious damage.
 
Just insane footage coming out of Mexico. Utter anarchy,

Low chance, but not the dumbest idea for the FA and Oz govt to quietly tap FIFA on the shoulder and mention that if they need a replacement for the Mexico World Cup games, we have stadiums, safe environment and history hosting big events.
 
Somebloke said:
Just insane footage coming out of Mexico. Utter anarchy,

Low chance, but not the dumbest idea for the FA and Oz govt to quietly tap FIFA on the shoulder and mention that if they need a replacement for the Mexico World Cup games, we have stadiums, safe environment and history hosting big events.
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Yeah I've seen that footage of events. Cartel boss killed and airport closed off. All developing

I don't know much about all this but I believe certain regions are hot while others aren't. I've not checked who is even playing in Mexico. Cartels are ruthless while gangbangers in US cities won't likely come near fan areas.
 
JS96 said:
Yeah I've seen that footage of events. Cartel boss killed and airport closed off. All developing

I don't know much about all this but I believe certain regions are hot while others aren't. I've not checked who is even playing in Mexico. Cartels are ruthless while gangbangers in US cities won't likely come near fan areas.
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Yes it’s all happening now. Incidents and clashes are across the country. Open warfare between militarised cartels and Mexican army. Flights into the country being diverted. The Cartels seem incensed that the US was involved in the killing of El Mencho. This could the start of Trump’s promised war against the cartels. Could calm down but not a reassuring development with a World Cup only months away.
 
Reading now that 4 games are to be played in the state where the event happen and there have been incidents now in other areas. Learning a lot about the geography.
 
JS96 said:
Reading now that 4 games are to be played in the state where the event happen and there have been incidents now in other areas. Learning a lot about the geography.
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It’s pretty regional in Mexico. Currently Smartraveller has Mexico as Level 2 (exercise a high degree of caution) but Level 3 (reconsider your need to travel) for the states of Chiapas, Chihuahua, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas plus parts of Durango and Navarit, with the exceptions of some cities. Acapulco (in Guerrero), once a popular tourist destination that you’ll heard about a lot in 20th century American movies, is not an exception however. Nowadays you hear a lot more about places like Cancún (in Quintana Roo) and Progreso (in Yucatán, the safest Mexican state). As of now all the World Cup cities in Mexico are Level 2. I do really wanna go to Mexico one day but I currently have Europe and Southeast Asia planned.

 
I mentioned in the other WC thread about this - there's drama there always - being there's a WC on its gets even more news headlines.
I have been to Mex over 10times.
Thankfully hosted by locals I know from various parts - got to say IF I was a general lone tourist travelling with the wife I'd be far far more careful for you could think your in a safe place/bar/restaurant but being watched and kidnapped before you know it !
Acapulco - when you stay in a large resort you just don't go out of the place - its got everything you need - you know as you arrive to the front boom gates with gaurds/rifles you don't venture.
A city north of Mex city Queretaro is relatively safe to walk around - really cool place.
Cancun is similar to Acapulco - stay in your resort its safe and sound - don't bother getting out and about unless your with a escort.
Guanajuato a safe city really nice highly recommend.
Mex city is the mad totally packed out place - buzz actually but you got to be aware and eyes behind your head if your a lone tourist.
The city north is like Syd city north - the posh shops/every shop has a armed guard or 2 out front/business offices etcetc
Downtown is like every downtown - madness and enjoy the city traffic omg its bad.
 
patjennings said:
I've been watching a few podcasts and really worry that the squad will not be right. Popovic said he was looking at doing 'something special' - some of the podcasts have very unambitious squads. For me the front has to be young quick players with good dribbling skills. The only older player I consider up front is Duke, and only to come on at the end to defend from the front to protect a lead while still offering a danger.

I'm also wary of many of the podcasters looking at the 26 players as 3 keepers 2 for every position and 3 extras. I would have had Silvera (now injured) as the backup to Miller (injured now) because of his versatility and expecting Miller to play most of the time at RWB. Other players like Metcalfe are able to play in multiple positions. The squad needs to the best squad for how we want to play, not necessarily the best 2 players in each of the positions. We are going to play counter attacking football almost certainly. Set your squad up for that.

Paartalu said he would be happy with three draws. If we pick the wrong squad that is probably a dream result. If we pick the right squad we can do some serious damage.
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'Happy with 3 draws'.

Everything wrong with Australia's tilt at this WC distilled into a concise sentence.

Give yourself a punch in the head Paartalu.
 
patjennings said:
I'm also wary of many of the podcasters looking at the 26 players as 3 keepers 2 for every position and 3 extras. I would have had Silvera (now injured) as the backup to Miller (injured now) because of his versatility and expecting Miller to play most of the time at RWB. Other players like Metcalfe are able to play in multiple positions. The squad needs to the best squad for how we want to play, not necessarily the best 2 players in each of the positions. We are going to play counter attacking football almost certainly. Set your squad up for that.
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I still think it's a good approach to squad selection to look at your basic 11, and a backup for each.
In saying that - it shouldn't necessarily be one person specifically as a back up for a single position. If the backup player is versatile and can fit across the board, then they could essentially leave room for more than 3 to be the extras. If that makes sense.

I guess I'd look at having your 11 positions, and each time you pick a player, you put a tally next to where they can play - each position should have at least two on the tally before you start looking at who can come as extras.
 
Quicky said:
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I remember seeing this on Insta when it was first posted and the comments were flooded with people calling us shit and waffling on about how bad the A-League/Aussie soccer is.

Inspiring video though, with a great song in the background too. And he has a point: sure, we obviously won't win the World Cup but we can absolutely make an underdog story and aim for at least the quarters. Look at what the Matildas did at the 2021 Olympics and 2023 World Cup for example.
 
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