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World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

mkxx said:
Id rather be in pot 2 than being in a group with Japan & Sth Korea.
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That would've been impossible anyway as it was 3 teams per pot. Australia was almost in pot 1 over South Korea. It was the switch between Iraq and Saudi in pots that was annoying.
 
jas88 said:
There's no windows for friendlies anymore due the UEFA Nations League now. It's not 2010 anymore.
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It's become incredibly tight. The UEFA groups of 5 teams see some sides with a bye in a window. Most have organised friendlies already while we're stuffing around.
 
NicCarBel said:
Oh gosh don’t get me started on the UEFA setup
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Feels lonely and lame some groups. I'm definitely not for a preliminary round as the minnows make up and enjoyable aspect of UEFA football.

I'm at a loss how they could change it. 7 team groups existed before. Maybe something like a triple elimination.
 
JS96 said:
Feels lonely and lame some groups. I'm definitely not for a preliminary round as the minnows make up and enjoyable aspect of UEFA football.

I'm at a loss how they could change it. 7 team groups existed before. Maybe something like a triple elimination.
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Yeah I don’t think UEFA needs a preliminary round either.

The main reason why their path is an issue, is UEFA are adamant that:
  • There is some sort of final playoff round
  • Nations League is a part of it
I would personally just have 8 groups (would be mostly groups of 7, with a couple groups of 6 - uneven groups is clearly not an issue with them, as they’ve done it with these groups of 4-5). Then it’s just a simple case of the top 2 of each group qualify.

Funnily enough, Africa has gone from one of the most ridiculous qualifying formats, to probably one of the best.
 
melbcityguy said:
www.smh.com.au

He’s a third-generation Socceroo who says he bleeds green and gold. So why isn’t he playing?

Alex Robertson remains locked in a bizarre stand-off with Football Australia over his eligibility to play for the Socceroos, who he has represented twice before in friendlies.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Article about Robinson if anyone can read?
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Key paragraph

Sources close to Robertson, meanwhile, say they are unaware of any paperwork issues, have not been directly contacted by Popovic or FA, and that he has been focusing on his season with Cardiff City.
Robertson’s dissatisfaction with the Australian set-up is believed to relate to his last appearance in camp, the October 2023 window in which Australia met England at Wembley Stadium and then had a “Soccer Ashes” showdown with New Zealand in London. Robertson, Mohamed Toure and Patrick Yazbek were officially named by Arnold as “train-on” players, but Robertson wasn’t named in Arnold’s squad for either match, unlike Toure and Yazbek, who were named for both, with the former getting on the field for a few minutes against England.
Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi, who played with him when he was on loan at Portsmouth last season, said last year that Robertson was “confused” about what he wants in football.
“He’s obviously got some decisions to make … I’d love to play with him in a Socceroos jersey, and I’m constantly telling him to come and play and give me some through balls and some assists,” Yengi said. “I’m hoping one day in the future we’ll see him playing in the Socceroos again. I think he’s just trying to figure everything out, but I think when the time comes he’ll make a decision, and he’ll come back and play for us.”
Popovic appears to have moved on, and is canvassing other options to bolster Australia’s midfield for their upcoming qualifiers, in which they could clinch a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Having previously said he would never “sell the Socceroos jersey” to a player, the ball appears to be in Robertson’s court. The only problem, however, is that Robertson is seemingly unaware the ball has been played his way, or that he might be on a different court entirely.
 
grazorblade said:
Key paragraph

Sources close to Robertson, meanwhile, say they are unaware of any paperwork issues, have not been directly contacted by Popovic or FA, and that he has been focusing on his season with Cardiff City.
Robertson’s dissatisfaction with the Australian set-up is believed to relate to his last appearance in camp, the October 2023 window in which Australia met England at Wembley Stadium and then had a “Soccer Ashes” showdown with New Zealand in London. Robertson, Mohamed Toure and Patrick Yazbek were officially named by Arnold as “train-on” players, but Robertson wasn’t named in Arnold’s squad for either match, unlike Toure and Yazbek, who were named for both, with the former getting on the field for a few minutes against England.
Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi, who played with him when he was on loan at Portsmouth last season, said last year that Robertson was “confused” about what he wants in football.
“He’s obviously got some decisions to make … I’d love to play with him in a Socceroos jersey, and I’m constantly telling him to come and play and give me some through balls and some assists,” Yengi said. “I’m hoping one day in the future we’ll see him playing in the Socceroos again. I think he’s just trying to figure everything out, but I think when the time comes he’ll make a decision, and he’ll come back and play for us.”
Popovic appears to have moved on, and is canvassing other options to bolster Australia’s midfield for their upcoming qualifiers, in which they could clinch a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Having previously said he would never “sell the Socceroos jersey” to a player, the ball appears to be in Robertson’s court. The only problem, however, is that Robertson is seemingly unaware the ball has been played his way, or that he might be on a different court entirely.
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Yeah what's up with not naming him. I get train on means you might miss out but he named the other 2. Simple math that 1 had to miss out? Remember Luongo was there too and had a midfield spot.
 
grazorblade said:
Key paragraph

Sources close to Robertson, meanwhile, say they are unaware of any paperwork issues, have not been directly contacted by Popovic or FA, and that he has been focusing on his season with Cardiff City.
Robertson’s dissatisfaction with the Australian set-up is believed to relate to his last appearance in camp, the October 2023 window in which Australia met England at Wembley Stadium and then had a “Soccer Ashes” showdown with New Zealand in London. Robertson, Mohamed Toure and Patrick Yazbek were officially named by Arnold as “train-on” players, but Robertson wasn’t named in Arnold’s squad for either match, unlike Toure and Yazbek, who were named for both, with the former getting on the field for a few minutes against England.
Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi, who played with him when he was on loan at Portsmouth last season, said last year that Robertson was “confused” about what he wants in football.
“He’s obviously got some decisions to make … I’d love to play with him in a Socceroos jersey, and I’m constantly telling him to come and play and give me some through balls and some assists,” Yengi said. “I’m hoping one day in the future we’ll see him playing in the Socceroos again. I think he’s just trying to figure everything out, but I think when the time comes he’ll make a decision, and he’ll come back and play for us.”
Popovic appears to have moved on, and is canvassing other options to bolster Australia’s midfield for their upcoming qualifiers, in which they could clinch a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Having previously said he would never “sell the Socceroos jersey” to a player, the ball appears to be in Robertson’s court. The only problem, however, is that Robertson is seemingly unaware the ball has been played his way, or that he might be on a different court entirely.
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"come BACK and play with us"? back from where?
 
Popovic's response was pretty poor there. I'm sure if he wanted it they could resolve the paperwork issue. Instead he's using it to duck the topic.
 
Quicky said:
Popovic's response was pretty poor there. I'm sure if he wanted it they could resolve the paperwork issue. Instead he's using it to duck the topic.
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It's so weird isn't it

As others have speculated, his profile looks an ideal fit with triantis and both seem to have big 5 potential (potential, not guarantee of course)
 
In regards to friendlies, I get coming home is important from time to time but I miss having neutral ground ones. Japan and Turkey do this regularly in Europe. ME camps are alright but the opponents leave a lot to be desired. There are so many facilities around where we can have a short camp and 2 games.
 
This pre June window ME camp has an extra few days available. I wonder if a practice match against a local side or even Qatar or UAE could be done? Game is rolling around pretty quickly though and the players are knackered.
 
A lot of talk that Graham Arnold has received a contract to coach the Iraq national team and just needs to sign.
 
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