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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

RIMB said:
Can you go back to just watching a game? Or does your brain keep thinking - 'and Bob passes the ball to Phil. Great intercept there by the number 4' and so on rather than just watching and saying "Noooooooooooo"?
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Have sat at games with an ex-commentator. He tends to be able to sit in silence, unless it's a team he follows.
 
southmelb said:
To be fair Ange accumulated 19 points and only finished 1 point behind Japan and Saudi Arabia. In any other campaign that gets you through directly.

I agree with you about squad strength, i went to the qualifier in Melbourne where we drew 1-1 with Japan, we had 68% possesion and battered them but could only score via Jedinak penalty.

As we approach a decade on, we are seeing the reality that our focus is shifting on largely being good off the ball, with our current talent levels we dont have much other choice.
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I get tired of the old "width of goal post" BS. We only needed one goal to finish top of the group and the amount that scraped the goal post was astronomical. We didn't score "that goal" and neither did anybody else. The result is what it is. Nobody was getting free undefended shots.
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
Relax mate, just yanking your chain...... Youve gotta be happy today with both the Roos and Porto..... :)
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As you know without all the BS, Japan has put in careful planning and strong structural development for many years, something Soccer Australia or Football Australia has not done for 50 years.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Don't think I've done it often enough for it to change my brain.

Think about the times you've watched a match with a couple of mates. Typically you'll all be commentating the entire game.
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Sometimes you want them to shut up so you can just watch too :)

I wonder if the cost of being there for us in the commentary box so long means sacrificing some of the simple pleasure of 'just watching a game'. Extra respect to them if it does. I may never find out.
 
It seems so disingenuous to be so negative about Popovic after he's turned around qualification and almost got us there. I wrestle with this but I still feel we're leaving so much behind.

I don't mind that we're defensive and I don't mind that there is a focus on on our off ball shape. I do think the balance is really off and we need to shift some focus to how we choose to move forward and attack.

To me, I think we can still maintain the defensive strengths but improve offensively. To do that I think we need to focus on quick, committed counter attacks. When we go we need to go and go positively. We need to do this when the opposition don't have their defensive shape.

I don't think we can do it with the current squad, but I think we can if we pick different players or some key guys make it back from injury. Better wing backs and midfielders who can move the ball forward would help a lot.
 
Quicky said:
It seems so disingenuous to be so negative about Popovic after he's turned around qualification and almost got us there. I wrestle with this but I still feel we're leaving so much behind.

I don't mind that we're defensive and I don't mind that there is a focus on on our off ball shape. I do think the balance is really off and we need to shift some focus to how we choose to move forward and attack.

To me, I think we can still maintain the defensive strengths but improve offensively. To do that I think we need to focus on quick, committed counter attacks. When we go we need to go and go positively. We need to do this when the opposition don't have their defensive shape.

I don't think we can do it with the current squad, but I think we can if we pick different players or some key guys make it back from injury. Better wing backs and midfielders who can move the ball forward would help a lot.
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It's interesting to note this campaign has seen many players get a run under both coaches. Irankunda was patchy but just one half under Popovic. I hate how he's seemingly written off but he had to go away and rebuild. Nisbet was good against Indonesia. Velupillay is the find of the campaign. Circati confirmed our hopes. Miller is the apparent victor while Deng, Mabil will never be seen again. Boyle a survivor, Borrello with the lives of a cat and Goodwin used unorthodoxly.
 
grazorblade said:
current points:

South Korea: 1583.68
Austria: 1580.22
Ecuador: 1572.7
Australia: 1569.38

If I'm calculating things right, if we beat Saudi Arabia we are in pot 2?
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Depends on who we think qualifies.

Confirmed we have:
  1. Canada
  2. Mexico
  3. USA
  4. New Zealand
  5. Japan
  6. Iran
  7. Uzbekistan
  8. South Korea
  9. Jordan
  10. Argentina
Probables from the almost finished confederations would be:
  1. Australia
  2. Ecuador
  3. Paraguay
  4. Brazil
  5. Uruguay
  6. Colombia
  7. Egypt
  8. DR Congo
  9. South Africa
  10. Cape Verde
  11. Morocco
  12. Ivory Coast
  13. Algeria
  14. Tunisia
  15. Ghana
For South America and Africa, I have just used the current standings for the 'probables'
Below is my best guesses based off the current pots, FIFA rankings and standings for UEFA, CONCACAF and the next stage of AFC direct qualifying
  1. Panama
  2. Costa Rica
  3. Jamaica
  4. Germany
  5. Switzerland
  6. Denmark
  7. France
  8. Spain
  9. Portugal
  10. Netherlands
  11. Austria
  12. Italy
  13. Belgium
  14. England
  15. Croatia
  16. Qatar
  17. Saudi Arabia
Then we have two options on how FIFA would go with seeding the draw. The first is that they do the draw BEFORE the final Intercontinental and UEFA playoffs. The second is they do it AFTER. Again, best guesses and using current standings/FIFA Rankings/Pots/etc, that would mean the following 6 'should' qualify.
  1. Ukraine
  2. Turkey
  3. Sweden
  4. Wales
  5. Senegal
  6. Venezuela
So, using the CURRENT Calculated FIFA Rankings (in brackets) AND also forcing the playoff winners into Pot 4 (as per 2022), this would be the seeding:

Pot 1
  1. USA (host)
  2. Canada (host)
  3. Mexico (host)
  4. Argentina (1)
  5. Spain (2)
  6. France (3)
  7. England (4)
  8. Brazil (5)
  9. Netherlands (6)
  10. Portugal (7)
  11. Belgium (8)
  12. Italy (9)
Pot 2
  1. Germany (10)
  2. Croatia (11)
  3. Morocco (12)
  4. Colombia (13)
  5. Uruguay (14)
  6. Japan (17)
  7. Switzerland (19)
  8. Iran (20)
  9. Denmark (21)
  10. Korea Republic (22)
  11. Austria (23)
  12. Ecuador (24)
Pot 3
  1. Australia (25)
  2. Egypt (32)
  3. Panama (33)
  4. Algeria (36)
  5. Paraguay (39)
  6. Ivory Coast (42)
  7. Tunisia (47)
  8. Qatar (50)
  9. Costa Rica (52)
  10. South Africa (56)
  11. Uzbekistan (57)
  12. Saudi Arabia (58)
Pot 4
  1. Congo DR (60)
  2. Jordan (62)
  3. Jamaica (63)
  4. Cape Verde (72)
  5. Ghana (76)
  6. New Zealand (85)
  7. Senegal (18)
  8. Ukraine (26)
  9. Turkey (27)
  10. Sweden (28)
  11. Wales (29)
  12. Venezuela (49)
If they finalise the playoffs BEFORE the draw, then the pots would be:

Pot 1
  1. USA (host)
  2. Canada (host)
  3. Mexico (host)
  4. Argentina (1)
  5. Spain (2)
  6. France (3)
  7. England (4)
  8. Brazil (5)
  9. Netherlands (6)
  10. Portugal (7)
  11. Belgium (8)
  12. Italy (9)
Pot 2
  1. Germany (10)
  2. Croatia (11)
  3. Morocco (12)
  4. Colombia (13)
  5. Uruguay (14)
  6. Japan (17)
  7. Senegal (18)
  8. Switzerland (19)
  9. Iran (20)
  10. Denmark (21)
  11. Korea Republic (22)
  12. Austria (23)
Pot 3

  1. Ecuador (24)
  2. Australia (25)
  3. Ukraine (26)
  4. Turkey (27)
  5. Sweden (28)
  6. Wales (29)
  7. Egypt (32)
  8. Panama (33)
  9. Algeria (36)
  10. Paraguay (39)
  11. Ivory Coast (42)
  12. Tunisia (47)
Pot 4
  1. Venezuela (49)
  2. Qatar (50)
  3. Costa Rica (52)
  4. South Africa (56)
  5. Uzbekistan (57)
  6. Saudi Arabia (58)
  7. Congo DR (60)
  8. Jordan (62)
  9. Jamaica (63)
  10. Cape Verde (72)
  11. Ghana (76)
  12. New Zealand (85)
I'm being very convoluted, I know, but essentially that would mean we need to go up 1 FIFA rank to be in Pot 2 if they do the draw BEFORE the playoffs, and up 2 ranks if they do AFTER the playoffs.

A win over Saudi would put us on 1578.63pts, which would take us past Ecuador's current points (1572.69), but not past Austria's (1580.22)

Ecuador faces Peru next, where a win will put them onto 1583.07, (and a loss 1558.07).
Austria has two upcoming games: Romania (win - 1590.33, loss - 1565.33) and San Marino (win - 1581.88, not taking into account any points gain against Romania)

But.. really it all depends when they decide to seed from.
 
Decentric said:
Now I’ve seen the entire game, some of it for a second time, Popa deserves more credit than he is getting on this forum. Thankfully, there are new posters on this forum who recognise Popa's value.

He has accrued 15 points from 7 games in this round of WCQs and is undefeated.

In his 3-4-3, 5-4-1, 5-2-3 formation, depending on the part of the pitch, he selected a team (like Arnie usually did) where all players' major strength is their off the ball work. In any given game players average on the ball is 3 minutes for the whole 90 mins. More if you are a DM or CB, less if you are a striker.

If Popa had played more proficient ball players earlier in the game, Arzani, Tilio, a fitter McGree, or the now non-selected Hrustic, or some of the younger players not selected, they just would not have seen much ball and been worn out.

In turn the Japanese would have even put even more pressure on our defence, but Boyle, Borrello, and Metcalfe ran hard to keep the team shape compact most of the time. Impressively, most Japanese players are superb on the ball and very good off it too.

In the second half the Japanese Squeezing intensity dropped, hence McGree and Yazbek, had more time and space on the ball then their predecessors, Teague and Boyle did. The entire Socceroo team had more time on the ball as the second half progressed.

Popa's 3 part formation has worked well. The team has improved as a unit and has defensively withstood a lot of pressure. It is axiomatic in coaching, the cornerstone of a team is a strong defence.

Also, one has to pay tribute to Japan's long term football plan, based on Brazil. It has had money invested and is working.
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I dunno mate, we all recognise he parks the bus, and we all recognise he plays players that are defensively sound. It's not the issue though, the issue is the players he's chosen regularly can't retain the ball in midfield.

To be honest his style is the perfect foil to the Japanese technical ability, but that does negate the problems his teams have from playing it out from the back.

Popa isn't a tactical genius, he plays a 5-4-1, only pushing the wingers and wing back up when countering. Turning the 5-4-1 to a 3-4-3 for single attacks than reverting when/if it falls apart.
 
NicCarBel said:
Depends on who we think qualifies.

Confirmed we have:
  1. Canada
  2. Mexico
  3. USA
  4. New Zealand
  5. Japan
  6. Iran
  7. Uzbekistan
  8. South Korea
  9. Jordan
  10. Argentina
Probables from the almost finished confederations would be:
  1. Australia
  2. Ecuador
  3. Paraguay
  4. Brazil
  5. Uruguay
  6. Colombia
  7. Egypt
  8. DR Congo
  9. South Africa
  10. Cape Verde
  11. Morocco
  12. Ivory Coast
  13. Algeria
  14. Tunisia
  15. Ghana
For South America and Africa, I have just used the current standings for the 'probables'
Below is my best guesses based off the current pots, FIFA rankings and standings for UEFA, CONCACAF and the next stage of AFC direct qualifying
  1. Panama
  2. Costa Rica
  3. Jamaica
  4. Germany
  5. Switzerland
  6. Denmark
  7. France
  8. Spain
  9. Portugal
  10. Netherlands
  11. Austria
  12. Italy
  13. Belgium
  14. England
  15. Croatia
  16. Qatar
  17. Saudi Arabia
Then we have two options on how FIFA would go with seeding the draw. The first is that they do the draw BEFORE the final Intercontinental and UEFA playoffs. The second is they do it AFTER. Again, best guesses and using current standings/FIFA Rankings/Pots/etc, that would mean the following 6 'should' qualify.
  1. Ukraine
  2. Turkey
  3. Sweden
  4. Wales
  5. Senegal
  6. Venezuela
So, using the CURRENT Calculated FIFA Rankings (in brackets) AND also forcing the playoff winners into Pot 4 (as per 2022), this would be the seeding:

Pot 1
  1. USA (host)
  2. Canada (host)
  3. Mexico (host)
  4. Argentina (1)
  5. Spain (2)
  6. France (3)
  7. England (4)
  8. Brazil (5)
  9. Netherlands (6)
  10. Portugal (7)
  11. Belgium (8)
  12. Italy (9)
Pot 2
  1. Germany (10)
  2. Croatia (11)
  3. Morocco (12)
  4. Colombia (13)
  5. Uruguay (14)
  6. Japan (17)
  7. Switzerland (19)
  8. Iran (20)
  9. Denmark (21)
  10. Korea Republic (22)
  11. Austria (23)
  12. Ecuador (24)
Pot 3
  1. Australia (25)
  2. Egypt (32)
  3. Panama (33)
  4. Algeria (36)
  5. Paraguay (39)
  6. Ivory Coast (42)
  7. Tunisia (47)
  8. Qatar (50)
  9. Costa Rica (52)
  10. South Africa (56)
  11. Uzbekistan (57)
  12. Saudi Arabia (58)
Pot 4
  1. Congo DR (60)
  2. Jordan (62)
  3. Jamaica (63)
  4. Cape Verde (72)
  5. Ghana (76)
  6. New Zealand (85)
  7. Senegal (18)
  8. Ukraine (26)
  9. Turkey (27)
  10. Sweden (28)
  11. Wales (29)
  12. Venezuela (49)
If they finalise the playoffs BEFORE the draw, then the pots would be:

Pot 1
  1. USA (host)
  2. Canada (host)
  3. Mexico (host)
  4. Argentina (1)
  5. Spain (2)
  6. France (3)
  7. England (4)
  8. Brazil (5)
  9. Netherlands (6)
  10. Portugal (7)
  11. Belgium (8)
  12. Italy (9)
Pot 2
  1. Germany (10)
  2. Croatia (11)
  3. Morocco (12)
  4. Colombia (13)
  5. Uruguay (14)
  6. Japan (17)
  7. Senegal (18)
  8. Switzerland (19)
  9. Iran (20)
  10. Denmark (21)
  11. Korea Republic (22)
  12. Austria (23)
Pot 3

  1. Ecuador (24)
  2. Australia (25)
  3. Ukraine (26)
  4. Turkey (27)
  5. Sweden (28)
  6. Wales (29)
  7. Egypt (32)
  8. Panama (33)
  9. Algeria (36)
  10. Paraguay (39)
  11. Ivory Coast (42)
  12. Tunisia (47)
Pot 4
  1. Venezuela (49)
  2. Qatar (50)
  3. Costa Rica (52)
  4. South Africa (56)
  5. Uzbekistan (57)
  6. Saudi Arabia (58)
  7. Congo DR (60)
  8. Jordan (62)
  9. Jamaica (63)
  10. Cape Verde (72)
  11. Ghana (76)
  12. New Zealand (85)
I'm being very convoluted, I know, but essentially that would mean we need to go up 1 FIFA rank to be in Pot 2 if they do the draw BEFORE the playoffs, and up 2 ranks if they do AFTER the playoffs.

A win over Saudi would put us on 1578.63pts, which would take us past Ecuador's current points (1572.69), but not past Austria's (1580.22)

Ecuador faces Peru next, where a win will put them onto 1583.07, (and a loss 1558.07).
Austria has two upcoming games: Romania (win - 1590.33, loss - 1565.33) and San Marino (win - 1581.88, not taking into account any points gain against Romania)

But.. really it all depends when they decide to seed from.
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All this is based on those teams making it, you always get upsets in UEFA, we would only need one or two to get us up to that second pot. A majority of UEFA teams haven't even started there qualifiers yet!
 
huddo said:
All this is based on those teams making it, you always get upsets in UEFA, we would only need one or two to get us up to that second pot. A majority of UEFA teams haven't even started there qualifiers yet!
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Correct - it's way too early to work on the pots and seeding, as they'll no doubt take it as of when the European qualifiers (at least pre-playoffs) have ended - but just wanted to play into the idea.
 
NicCarBel said:
Correct - it's way too early to work on the pots and seeding, as they'll no doubt take it as of when the European qualifiers (at least pre-playoffs) have ended - but just wanted to play into the idea.
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I guess its always good to know where we sit, gives me another angle on who to support in the UEFA qualifiers.
 
Robbos said:
As you know without all the BS, Japan has put in careful planning and strong structural development for many years, something Soccer Australia or Football Australia has not done for 50 years.
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I would suggest that it has never been done. What's this 50 years mularky?
 
Dan_The_Red said:
What's everyone's thoughts on the amusing irony we get to go to Saudi and fake injury, roll on ground, scream in pain and just generally act like pricks? Hope the boys don't miss out on returning this sort of nonsense.
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its not us to like that kind of behaviour but I hear you giving back some of their medicine, Behich/Arzarni are our oscar leaders so over to them :)
 
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