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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

AEK4969 said:
So we were going for TST3(Australia's 3 group games), and the availability/pricing we got was AUD260 per each ticket to each game for Category 3. No option for Cat4.
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That’s not bad. Could I please ask which website you’re using?
 
juneof86 said:
It is the Visa pre-sale. I expected to hear October 1 (with a staggered time/date to actually get into the portal) from what I had read, but I didn't hear anything and neither did anyone else I knew. So I assumed I was out of luck. But Friday afternoon I got an email. It said I was successful and would be given a date/time. Nothing had changed in my FIFA ticket account, but just before I went to bed Friday night my time was in my account. I didn't get an email with my time until a couple of hours before it was due to start (9 am my time Monday morning).

I was in the queue for about an hour before I was able to access the portal.

There seemed to be not bad availability for TST3s (Argentina's were all sold out, no surprise, but everyone else had something available). Individual matches were much more hit and miss and I've heard that finding Cat 3 or 4 is very difficult. I was just really happy to get the group stage (and I bought a possible Round-of-32 match in Cat 2 just because I could).

The Visa pre-sale doesn't end until Oct. 21 so there's still hope for anyone who is waiting. I had been assuming I would have to try to hope for the best with the federation or lean on friends who were luckier than I. I never thought I'd get in through the Visa sale.

I went to go in to look around more just now and it's not letting me access it. It seems like it's closed. Which is odd. I did enough damage to my credit card, so maybe it's a blessing I can't log back in today.
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Thanks a lot for the detailed info. May I ask which websites you’re using?
 
Keeper66 said:
Is this the Visa presale? Did you get email notification yesterday/over night? I still haven’t heard anything yet.
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Yep, got a notification like a couple days before that I have been drawn and then give a date/time as my buying slot.

I believe there is another one in October?
 
Kitwally said:
That’s not bad. Could I please ask which website you’re using?
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Just google: fifa tickets world cup 2026, register with FIFA and follow instructions. But note...this window was only for VISA card holders, and deadline to apply has passed. The next window is from 27th October.
 
Kitwally said:
Thanks a lot for the detailed info. May I ask which websites you’re using?
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As AEK4969 said FIFA.com/tickets will help you register your interest ahead of the next draw. I got insanely fortunate with the Visa draw, but I usually get tickets through our national soccer federation. Each FA is different, but I'm sure Football Australia has an allocation of tickets.

For info and news to try to navigate this mess, I've been talking to people I know who are in the know and The Athletic (an American-based pay site) has had some really good articles. I did find this interesting... https://www.fifacollectanalytics.com/ticket-prices

It has prices in US$ and a site map for each venue with categories which was really helpful.

The individual match tickets are starting to get pretty picked over in the ticket portal for this first allocation (which is pretty small) and the knockout matches are almost all gone. But, interestingly to me, the US venues are the ones that are not selling out yet. Every Canadian-based match was sold out pretty quickly, but you can still get tickets for the U.S.'s tournament opener in LA.

I've been to about half of these venues, so if anyone has questions after the draw I'd be happy to answer.
 
This was my June WC squad:

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Behich

Irvine, Metcalfe, Triantis, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Teague

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Velupillay, Irankunda, Toure, Duke, Iredale

October, changes in bold:

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford

Our formation is a massive problem as we must have reserves for RWB or LWB. If we don't, we end up playing someone like Rowles at LWB. RWB could be filled by Metcalfe or Irankunda. EVeryone listed can play CB except Bos so it's certainly a lot. 4 centre mids for a WC in negligent so we need a few more for the tank.

I think we could potentially omit Degenek as he's the least versatile and then Geria, Elder and Rowles offer that emergency coverage across the back. Also, I'D much rather have Hrustic, Arzani, Tilio or Sapsford to charge for a late goal than Duke, D'Agostino or Caceres. Our wiki depth is absolutey insane now. To think our arguably most intelligent footballer, Kalik, hasn't debuted, it something else.
 
NicCarBel

Post in thread 'WC 2026 Seedings'

I can't be bothered looking for the original - will update and copypasta this post sometime tomorrow, and then again on Wednesday afternoon (after all qualifiers for this window are complete)

CURRENT PROJECTED QUALIFICATION SLOTS (based SOLELY off Current Group Standings, and then FIFA Rankings to decide playoff participants/winners/etc

Bold = already qualified for that stage/World Cup finals
Pots + rankings to come after work (and playoff paths, I might try and work that out too as best I can)

CURRENT as of 14/10/2025 3pm AEDT

CONCACAF
  1. USA (16)
  2. Canada...
  • Like
 
I've just gone through each squad picked under Popovic and compiled some rough selection numbers. I wanted to get a clearer idea who we've been selecting, playing, assessing. The numbers may be little off in some places if I counted wrong but will be close.

Key takeaways:
  • Teachers pets: Miller, Burgess, O'Neill, Ryan, Bos (most selected).
  • Rising stars: Toure, Irankunda, Circati, Balard (started the campaign slowly but are now consistently selected)
  • Fading away: Behich, Borello, Yengi (started strongly but not being selected)
  • Injury impacted: Irvine, Souttar, McGree, Goodwin, Bos, Metcalfe, Circati, Velupillay (campaign impacted by injury)
  • Ghosted: Trewin, R. Grant, A. Grant, Segecic, Botic, Stamatelopoulos, Iredale, Davidson, Triantis, Devlin, Kalik (selected but no minutes)
  • Dogged: Luongo (Killing it at club level but completely overlooked)

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Triantis
[ ] Robertson

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
 
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patjennings said:
put Luongo in the injured column - possible ACL on the weekend - replace with Nisbet
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The post is reflecting on the campaign under Popovic. Luongo is the hardest done by. His injury, if as bad as feared, gives him no chance. It's a massive shame.

I almost put Nisbet there but had already written the caveat killing it at club level. Nisbets playing okay, but he isn't killing it and is at a low league level. I'd have liked to see him but understand the omission.
 
Quicky said:
I've just gone through each squad picked under Popovic and compiled some rough selection numbers. I wanted to get a clearer idea who we've been selecting, playing, assessing. The numbers may be little off in some places if I counted wrong but will be close.

Key takeaways:
  • Teachers pets: Miller, Burgess, O'Neill, Ryan, Bos (most selected).
  • Rising stars: Toure, Irankunda, Circati, Balard (started the campaign slowly but are now consistently selected)
  • Fading away: Behich, Borello, Yengi (started strongly but not being selected)
  • Injury impacted: Irvine, Souttar, McGree, Goodwin, Bos, Metcalfe, Circati, Velupillay (campaign impacted by injury)
  • Ghosted: Trewin, R. Grant, A. Grant, Segecic, Botic, Stamatelopoulos, Iredale, Davidson, Triantis, Devlin, Kalik (selected but no minutes)
  • Dogged: Luongo (Killing it at club level but completely overlooked)

GK
[ ] Gauci (2)
[ ] Ryan (8)
[ ] Izzo (2)
[ ] Glover

RWB
[ ] Miller (12)
[ ] Karacic (2)
[ ] R. Grant
[ ] Silvera (1)
[ ] Italiano (2)

CB
[ ] Deng (1)
[ ] Rowles (5)
[ ] Souttar (4)
[ ] Geria (8)
[ ] Burgess (11)
[ ] Mathews (1
[ ] Degenek (7)
[ ] Trewin
[ ] A. Grant
[ ] Circati (4)
[ ] Iredale

LWB
[ ] Behich (7)
[ ] Bos (7)
[ ] Davidson

CM
[ ] O'Neill (11)
[ ] Irvine (6)
[ ] Baccus (2)
[ ] Brattan (1)
[ ] Yazbek (8)
[ ] Caceres (4)
[ ] Balard (4)
[ ] Teague (4)
[ ] Kalik
[ ] Devlin
[ ] Triantis

WF
[ ] Goodwin (4)
[ ] Irankunda (5)
[ ] McGree (5)
[ ] Vellupillay (5)
[ ] Hrustic (6)
[ ] Boyle (7)
[ ] Arzani (3)
[ ] Metcalfe (7)
[ ] Tilio (1)
[ ] Segecic
[ ] Milanovic (1)

CF
[ ] Duke (8)
[ ] Stamatelopoulos
[ ] Borello (5)
[ ] Yengi (2)
[ ] Taggart (1)
[ ] Toure (6)
[ ] Botic
[ ] D'Agostino (1)
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Degenek, Geria and Yengi have been important players under Popovic or with Arnold. It would be good to see them fix their club situations to maintain depth that's fit and fighting.
 
Toure and Duke are almost certainly our preferred number 9's. We will probably only take one other but lots of wider forwards. It's a real fight for that spot especially as Borello has fallen back.

Botic and Stamatelopoulos are best performed at club level from those who have made squads. We need to integrate them and Sapsford. I also like Yengi as an option.
 
Quicky said:
The post is reflecting on the campaign under Popovic. Luongo is the hardest done by. His injury, if as bad as feared, gives him no chance. It's a massive shame.

I almost put Nisbet there but had already written the caveat killing it at club level. Nisbets playing okay, but he isn't killing it and is at a low league level. I'd have liked to see him but understand the omission.
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I actually was thinking was in the ghosted area. He is a starter every game in a team that will challenge for promotion.
 
patjennings said:
I actually was thinking was in the ghosted area. He is a starter every game in a team that will challenge for promotion.
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Did Nisbet make any squads under Popovic, or was his last under Arnold? I didn't see him when I was compiling the list. I do wish we'd seen him especially as we weren't picking Luongo and Robertson. I think we need some technicians. Netherlands (2) is a pretty low level though.
 
Quicky said:
Did Nisbet make any squads under Popovic, or was his last under Arnold? I didn't see him when I was compiling the list. I do wish we'd seen him especially as we weren't picking Luongo and Robertson. I think we need some technicians. Netherlands (2) is a pretty low level though.
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No Popa squads.
 
Quicky said:
Did Nisbet make any squads under Popovic, or was his last under Arnold? I didn't see him when I was compiling the list. I do wish we'd seen him especially as we weren't picking Luongo and Robertson. I think we need some technicians. Netherlands (2) is a pretty low level though.
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But he has hit the ground running - missing just 17 minutes out of 11 games in a club that is well placed for promotion (not as if they are bottom of Netherlands 2). How many central midfielders would you look at taking.
 
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