World Cup 2026 Australia thread

[Alex M]

The MCG (an Olympic stadium, centrally located and well served by public transport) is constantly used and often re-furbished. Stadium Australia (an Olympic Stadium but not centrally located and poorly served by public transport) has been used consistently since it was built 25 years ago.

It is true that some Olympic stadiums have had the fate you described but they were not centrally located and served well by public transport. In Australia we have not had that experience.

A Socceroo game against Brazil in Perth would sell out very quickly - only slowed by the ability of the ticketing system. An appropriately sized FIFA stadium, centrally located and served well by public transport is a gimme. While AAMI was use for the 2015 Asian cup it will not be for any future Asian Cup - it will just be too small and Brisbane, Perth and even Newcastle would make more sense financially.

Origin games are now more likely to go to Perth than Melbourne. The same with Rugby tests especially with the large amount of British descendents in WA.

I'm not sure what your definition of centrally located is. Homebush is pretty much right in the middle of the Sydney metro area and is pretty well serviced by public transport from multiple directions with its own dedicated train line which operates on a direct line to the city for major events with a shuttle line from Lidcombe for people travelling from the west. The lower bowl was completely restyled after the Olympics and no longer fits an Olympic athletics setup inside it, even when in oval mode which hasn't been used in sometime and I've no idea if the equipment to set it up is still in working order. I have a pretty low opinion of the MCG as a viewing experience. Last time I went there was a while ago (when Mitchell Johnson terrorised the poms) and I had platinum seats in the Olympic stand and the seating was uncomfortable and cramped and you are a long way from the action. It's just a shit stadium all round and I would rather watch a game there on TV than haul myself to the ground. I've no problem attending games at AAMI Park. I've no idea why you think it wouldn't be used for any possible future Asian Cup. Optus stadium in Perth is much better than the MCG, but its still a cricket ground and provides poor views for football. I had about as good a seat as it offers on the front of the second tier on half way (section 345) and you were still a long way away. Adelaide Oval was comfortable enough but its still a cricket ground. From my seat on the lower bowl for the China match you couldn't see the ground from the advertising hoardings until close to the centre circle and I was closer to the back of the bowl than the front.

 

[patjennings]

I'm not sure what your definition of centrally located is. Homebush is pretty much right in the middle of the Sydney metro area and is pretty well serviced by public transport from multiple directions with its own dedicated train line which operates on a direct line to the city for major events with a shuttle line from Lidcombe for people travelling from the west. The lower bowl was completely restyled after the Olympics and no longer fits an Olympic athletics setup inside it, even when in oval mode which hasn't been used in sometime and I've no idea if the equipment to set it up is still in working order. I have a pretty low opinion of the MCG as a viewing experience. Last time I went there was a while ago (when Mitchell Johnson terrorised the poms) and I had platinum seats in the Olympic stand and the seating was uncomfortable and cramped and you are a long way from the action. It's just a shit stadium all round and I would rather watch a game there on TV than haul myself to the ground. I've no problem attending games at AAMI Park. I've no idea why you think it wouldn't be used for any possible future Asian Cup. Optus stadium in Perth is much better than the MCG, but its still a cricket ground and provides poor views for football. I had about as good a seat as it offers on the front of the second tier on half way (section 345) and you were still a long way away. Adelaide Oval was comfortable enough but its still a cricket ground. From my seat on the lower bowl for the China match you couldn't see the ground from the advertising hoardings until close to the centre circle and I was closer to the back of the bowl than the front.

The dedicated train line takes you to Lidcombe. You then need to get to Strathfield to head north. If it was part of a connected line. i.e. Lidcombe to Concord West or Rhodes it would be ideal. As it is except for major events it is awful to get to. Even when the Sydney Metro West connects to Sydney Olympic Park it will only connect to North Strathfield - not Strathfield.

As for the Asian Cup - it is a bigger tournament that it was in 2015. Why would the FA forgo 20000 to 30000 tickets per game to play at AAMI rather than user Perth or Brisbane. Even Newcastle has more seats in a much smaller population base but close to Sydney is more likely.

 

[onedaywinners...]

I still think he is our best short term option and see a role for him up until the 2027 Asian Cup.

I'm sorry but do you really think a then 36 year old Aziz Behich should get anywhere near being chosen ahead of a Bos x 2 or Farrell at that point in time?!?

I mean all three of those players are already playing at a level above him currently.

I can't make sense of that.

 

[Quicky]

It is absolutely fair. Victorian football, rugby league and rugby union fans can vote for a government that will build it.

I was recently on a flying visit to Victoria and I was amazed and saddened at the people in the tourist industry that were so proud of all their sporting infrastructure and yet were especially proud of the ways that AAMI stadium was bastardised to protect "their football". I find it abhorrent that this sort of attitude still remains but it will remain unless the rectangular sports stand up for themselves and stop accepting crumbs while other sports are routinely favoured for infrastructure.

AAMI stadium is already FIFA compliant and the foundations and stadium bowl were designed to expansion to 50,000. Upgrading AAMI should be relatively simple and cheaper for an upgrade to 50,000 in comparison to similar stadiums for this reason. The exception is of course the roof which would be a large slice of the cost for any upgrade. It really is time for the Victorian government to at least commission and investigation into an expansion.

You're saying Victorian fans don't deserve to see the National Team play. That isn't fair.

 

[JS96]

I still think he is our best short term option and see a role for him up until the 2027 Asian Cup.

Jordan Bos is way ahead. Behich needed to be relegated after the 2019 Asian Cup.

 

[JS96]

I'm sorry but do you really think a then 36 year old Aziz Behich should get anywhere near being chosen ahead of a Bos x 2 or Farrell at that point in time?!?

I mean all three of those players are already playing at a level above him currently.

I can't make sense of that.

Just punched myself for forgetting Farrell. Out of sight, out of mind. Hope for a big season for the lad.

 

[patjennings]

You're saying Victorian fans don't deserve to see the National Team play. That isn't fair.

It is absolutely fair. They can watch Australia vs American Samoa or Timor-Leste. Victorians have made their choice clear. That a city more than ten times smaller in Newcastle has a larger stadium shows how Victorians value the rectangular sports.

 

[Quicky]

It is absolutely fair. They can watch Australia vs American Samoa or Timor-Leste. Victorians have made their choice clear. That a city more than ten times smaller in Newcastle has a larger stadium shows how Victorians value the rectangular sports.

There are a lot of true football fans in Victoria. You want to punish all of them because there is a more popular sport in the State and the politics for Football is difficult. I'm sorry but that's misguided and won't help Football.

 

[Alex M]

I'm sorry but do you really think a then 36 year old Aziz Behich should get anywhere near being chosen ahead of a Bos x 2 or Farrell at that point in time?!?

I mean all three of those players are already playing at a level above him currently.

I can't make sense of that.

Currently yes. I would pick him ahead of those to start right now. By 2027 he will probably only be a squad player but players of that experience are vital in long tournaments where we are hoping to play at least 5 and hopefully 7 games.

 

[Alex M]

Jordan Bos is way ahead. Behich needed to be relegated after the 2019 Asian Cup.

I really don't see it the way you do. The 2019 Asian Cup was 6 years ago and if you think Behic hasn't been one of our better more consistent players in the last 6 years I've lost a lot of respect for your opinion.

 

[onedaywinners...]

Currently yes. I would pick him ahead of those to start right now. By 2027 he will probably only be a squad player but players of that experience are vital in long tournaments where we are hoping to play at least 5 and hopefully 7 games.

I just see it that you usually pick two players in every position in these tournaments and I can't imagine any reality where a 36 year old Behich is in our top two LB/LWBs.

 

[patjennings]

There are a lot of true football fans in Victoria. You want to punish all of them because there is a more popular sport in the State and the politics for Football is difficult. I'm sorry but that's misguided and won't help Football.

The government i.e. the people of the state gifted F1 with almost $103m last year. That is their choice. That happens year in - year out. What asset do they have afterwards - none. That is a choice Victorians seem to be happy with. An upgrade to AAMI would at least have an asset after the upgrade even if the cost was upwards of $500m (which is unlikely) it would be still less than what the government has subsided F1 over the past decade. And F1 is locked in until 2037. At the end of that Melbourne will still not have a public asset they just would have spent another at least another $1.2B. Gawd knows how much they have spent since they got it.

 

[Quicky]

The government i.e. the people of the state gifted F1 with almost $103m last year. That is their choice. That happens year in - year out. What asset do they have afterwards - none. That is a choice Victorians seem to be happy with. An upgrade to AAMI would at least have an asset after the upgrade even if the cost was upwards of $500m (which is unlikely) it would be still less than what the government has subsided F1 over the past decade. And F1 is locked in until 2037. At the end of that Melbourne will still not have a public asset they just would have spent another at least another $1.2B. Gawd knows how much they have spent since they got it.

It's a bad idea. To cut out and give up on Victoria. It's bad for the sport. It's bad business. It's bad for the fans. It comes across mostly driven by a dislike for the State and the politics around sport there.

 

[JS96]

Currently yes. I would pick him ahead of those to start right now. By 2027 he will probably only be a squad player but players of that experience are vital in long tournaments where we are hoping to play at least 5 and hopefully 7 games.

He's like a deer in headlights even with all that experience. The Japan goal was such a fluke. He's got so very few successful crosses and is horrible in duels. He's got to go.

 

[patjennings]

It's a bad idea. To cut out and give up on Victoria. It's bad for the sport. It's bad business. It's bad for the fans. It comes across mostly driven by a dislike for the State and the politics around sport there.

So you are happy to "invest" in F1 unseemly amounts for 40 years. In the mean time successive governments have screwed football because they are afraid of the AFL. The bad business is investing in F1 for no asset and letting an existing asset that in reality is not fit for purpose as an elite rectangular stadium because of its size become less and less used as sports are taken to other states.

BTW I love the state. I love their public transport and I love the fact their elite sport facilities are easy to get to.

 

[Decentric]

I'm not sure what your definition of centrally located is. Homebush is pretty much right in the middle of the Sydney metro area and is pretty well serviced by public transport from multiple directions with its own dedicated train line which operates on a direct line to the city for major events with a shuttle line from Lidcombe for people travelling from the west. The lower bowl was completely restyled after the Olympics and no longer fits an Olympic athletics setup inside it, even when in oval mode which hasn't been used in sometime and I've no idea if the equipment to set it up is still in working order. I have a pretty low opinion of the MCG as a viewing experience. Last time I went there was a while ago (when Mitchell Johnson terrorised the poms) and I had platinum seats in the Olympic stand and the seating was uncomfortable and cramped and you are a long way from the action. It's just a shit stadium all round and I would rather watch a game there on TV than haul myself to the ground. I've no problem attending games at AAMI Park. I've no idea why you think it wouldn't be used for any possible future Asian Cup. Optus stadium in Perth is much better than the MCG, but its still a cricket ground and provides poor views for football. I had about as good a seat as it offers on the front of the second tier on half way (section 345) and you were still a long way away. Adelaide Oval was comfortable enough but its still a cricket ground. From my seat on the lower bowl for the China match you couldn't see the ground from the advertising hoardings until close to the centre circle and I was closer to the back of the bowl than the front.

Insightful post, Alex.

 

[Decentric]

I really don't see it the way you do. The 2019 Asian Cup was 6 years ago and if you think Behic hasn't been one of our better more consistent players in the last 6 years I've lost a lot of respect for your opinion.

I very much respect most of JS's views.

However, even after I watched a game primarily focused on Behich's faults, as identified by JS at specific times in the game, as I had a bit of time, I thought I shed light on those specific points in the game where Behich supposedly failed according to JS, and identified far better outcomes. I was surprised to see Strain struggle at RB comparatively.

I thought JS agreed - partially.

However, JS's fixation on Behich being a worse player than Socceroo coaches think, and a few other Socceroos he despises, are odd, given all the other good things JS does for this forum! JS also sees quite a few good points in a number of players too. I think JS favours uncapped Socceroos, and is a bit fed up with veterans.

I have done 1v1 duels in the stats section, in recent Socceroo games. JS is correct. In the games against Saudi or Japan, he was beaten a bit decisively in one of those games in 1v1s.

JS has used data to illustrate his point and he is correct about Aziz in one game specifically.

 

[Decentric]

He's like a deer in headlights even with all that experience. The Japan goal was such a fluke. He's got so very few successful crosses and is horrible in duels. He's got to go.

Behich has missed a lot of goals with his weaker right foot in particular, but on that specific occasion, on about the biggest stage one can get in football, Aziz scored a screamer! I'll never forget it!

A bit like after all the goals I've seen Matt Leckie miss, that ripper he scored against Denmark in Qatar, was ML's greatest moment for the Socceroos.

I stood up out of my chair, with my wife also viewing, and said Lecks had missed so many easier goals, and then scores a brilliant one on the biggest stage! Incredible!

 

[Decentric]

It's a bad idea. To cut out and give up on Victoria. It's bad for the sport. It's bad business. It's bad for the fans. It comes across mostly driven by a dislike for the State and the politics around sport there.

Are you a Victorian, Quicky?

I don't think there is any sort of dislike for Victoria in particular from all other states - apart from the old NSW/Vic and Sydney/Melbourne rivalry.

A good mate of mine is in Melbourne this week enjoying rugby, craft beer and public transport. I like the areas west, east and north of Melbourne in Vic.

 

[JS96]

I very much respect most of JS's views.

However, even after I watched a game primarily focused on Behich's faults, as identified by JS at specific times in the game, as I had a bit of time, I thought I shed light on those specific points in the game where Behich supposedly failed according to JS, and identified far better outcomes. I was surprised to see Strain struggle at RB comparatively.

I thought JS agreed - partially.

However, JS's fixation on Behich being a worse player than Socceroo coaches think, and a few other Socceroos he despises, are odd, given all the other good things JS does for this forum! JS also sees quite a few good points in a number of players too. I think JS favours uncapped Socceroos, and is a bit fed up with veterans.

I have done 1v1 duels in the stats section, in recent Socceroo games. JS is correct. In the games against Saudi or Japan, he was beaten a bit decisively in one of those games in 1v1s.

JS has used data to illustrate his point and he is correct about Aziz in one game specifically.

Not this again. We both laid out decent stats but the crux of the matter is in the games that Behich seemingly had no fault was compounded by the fact that he did little good. We rarely try anyone else at left back and we're left wondering and stuck with someone mediocre. Long story short Behich stifles attacks, loses duels and has terrible composure for someone so experienced. His peak was 17-18 and he had a good 22 WC but otherwise has been fortunate for be a favourite and other left backs injured.