2026 World Cup Squad

[Midfielder]

Will go one position at a time. Will chose 2 for each position in poppas system but 1 extra gk and 3 extra strikers

Available strikers:
Stama, T Yengi, K Yengi, Carter, Mo Toure, Waddingham, Caputo, Goodwin; Jovanovic, Sapsford, Duke, Borello, a goodwin, Botic

My picks (5) Mo toure, Carter, Caputo, Duke, Sapsford

Available inside forwards: c goodwin, vellupilay, segacic, boyle, irankunda, mcgree, metcalf, silvera, arzani, tillio, drew, pearman

My picks (4): segacic, goodwin, metcalf, vellupilay

Central mids: irvine, oniell, teague, caceras, baccus, devlin, triantis, balard, yazbek, thurgate, bratten, scicluna

My picks (4): Irvine, Teague, Oniel, Triantis

Leftwing back: k bos, j bos, behich, garucio, farrel

My picks (2) j bos and behich

Right wing back: miller, adamson, atkinson, geria

My picks(2): Miller and adamson

Lcb: farrel, burgess, degenek, rowles, elder

My picks: burgess, farrel

Ccb: circati souttar kikianis matthews

My picks (2): circati and souttar

Rcb: matthews, geria, circati

My picks(2) matthews and geria

Gks: ryan, gauci, glover, izzo, peraic cullen, beach, bilapovic, maynard brewer

My picks(3) ryan, peraic cullen, izzo

Not sure who I have missed. I am assiming volpato, robbo and chipperfield are unavailable, i would choose volpato instead of vellupilay if available

Only when I read your post and listened to the Australian Football podcast did it drawn on me how many players we have that are capable of making the side.

We must give some credit to the A-L and to recent national coaches as arguably for the first time in a long long long time we have considerable depth along with two at least maybe three high quality players.

Also with Portsmouth's having four Aussies in their side they will be used to playing together

Popa has to be happy with the position

 

[JS96]

Ah Leckie, you know what you're going to get and it would be nice to cut ties but still give him a friendly game send off.

Remember Sainsbury missing out? In hindsight deserved and everything worked out.

Souttar will certainly be fit and has played with Popovic already so it's more a body that form thing is reckon.

 

[Quicky]

It's hard to pick this far out but my early picks.

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Mohamed Toure
[ ] CF: Kusini Yengi
[ ] CF: [Most in form from the rest]
[ ] RF: Martin Boyle
[ ] RF: Nestory Irankunda
[ ] LF: Craig Goodwin
[ ] LF: Riley McGree

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Jackson Irvine
[ ] CM: Nectarios Triantis
[ ] CM: Max Balard
[ ] CM: Massimo Luongo
[ ] CM: Connor Metcalfe
[ ] CM: Alex Robertson
[ ] CAM: Adrian Segecic

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Harry Souttar
[ ] CB: Alessandro Circati
[ ] CB: Cameron Burgess
[ ] CB: Hayden Matthews
[ ] CB: Jacob Farrell
[ ] RWB: Daniel Bennie
[ ] RWB: Ryan Strain
[ ] LWB: Jordan Bos
[ ] LWB: Kasey Bos

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Mat Ryan
[ ] GK: Joe Gauci
[ ] GK: Paul Izzo

The depth is interesting:

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Noah Botic
[ ] CF: Zachary Sapsford
[ ] CF: Thomas Waddingham
<Stama, Iredale, Duke, Carter>
[ ] RF: Nicolas Milanovic
[ ] RF: Marco Tilio
<Volpato, Mabil, Drew>
[ ] LF: Sam Silvera
[ ] LF: Daniel Arzani

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Ryan Teague
[ ] CM: Aiden O'Neill
[ ] CM: Josh Nisbet
[ ] CM: Ajdin Hrustic
[ ] CM: Anthony Kalik
[ ] CM: Cameron Devlin
[ ] CM: Patrick Yazbek
<Baccus, Francois, Genreau, Okon, Nieuwenhof, Watts, Hollman>

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Kye Rowles
[ ] CB: Milos Degenek
[ ] CB: Jason Geria
[ ] CB: Fran Karacic
[ ] CB: Jack Iredale
<Kikianis>
[ ] RWB: Lewis Miller
[ ] RWB: Kealey Adamson
[ ] LWB: Aziz Behich
[ ] LWB: Callum Elder

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Lawrence Thomas
[ ] GK: Dylan Peraic-Cullen
[ ] GK: Ashley Maynard-Brewer

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

It's hard to pick this far out but my early picks.

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Mohamed Toure
[ ] CF: Kusini Yengi
[ ] CF: [Most in form from the rest]
[ ] RF: Martin Boyle
[ ] RF: Nestory Irankunda
[ ] LF: Craig Goodwin
[ ] LF: Riley McGree

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Jackson Irvine
[ ] CM: Nectarios Triantis
[ ] CM: Max Balard
[ ] CM: Massimo Luongo
[ ] CM: Connor Metcalfe
[ ] CM: Alex Robertson
[ ] CAM: Adrian Segecic

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Harry Souttar
[ ] CB: Alessandro Circati
[ ] CB: Cameron Burgess
[ ] CB: Hayden Matthews
[ ] CB: Jacob Farrell
[ ] RWB: Daniel Bennie
[ ] RWB: Ryan Strain
[ ] LWB: Jordan Bos
[ ] LWB: Kasey Bos

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Mat Ryan
[ ] GK: Joe Gauci
[ ] GK: Paul Izzo

If neither Matty Ryan nor Joe Gauci are not getting game time, bring in Beach instead.

 

[Midfielder]

It's hard to pick this far out but my early picks.

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Mohamed Toure
[ ] CF: Kusini Yengi
[ ] CF: [Most in form from the rest]
[ ] RF: Martin Boyle
[ ] RF: Nestory Irankunda
[ ] LF: Craig Goodwin
[ ] LF: Riley McGree

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Jackson Irvine
[ ] CM: Nectarios Triantis
[ ] CM: Max Balard
[ ] CM: Massimo Luongo
[ ] CM: Connor Metcalfe
[ ] CM: Alex Robertson
[ ] CAM: Adrian Segecic

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Harry Souttar
[ ] CB: Alessandro Circati
[ ] CB: Cameron Burgess
[ ] CB: Hayden Matthews
[ ] CB: Jacob Farrell
[ ] RWB: Daniel Bennie
[ ] RWB: Ryan Strain
[ ] LWB: Jordan Bos
[ ] LWB: Kasey Bos

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Mat Ryan
[ ] GK: Joe Gauci
[ ] GK: Paul Izzo

The depth is interesting:

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Noah Botic
[ ] CF: Zachary Sapsford
[ ] CF: Thomas Waddingham
<Stama, Iredale, Duke, Carter>
[ ] RF: Nicolas Milanovic
[ ] RF: Marco Tilio
<Volpato, Mabil>
[ ] LF: Sam Silvera
[ ] LF: Daniel Arzani

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Ryan Teague
[ ] CM: Aiden O'Neill
[ ] CM: Josh Nisbet
[ ] CM: Ajdin Hrusic
[ ] CM: Anthony Kalik
[ ] CM: Cameron Devlin
[ ] CM: Patrick Yazbek
< Baccus, Francoise, Genreau>

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Kye Rowles
[ ] CB: Milos Degenek
[ ] CB: Jason Geria
[ ] CB: Kikianis
[ ] CB: Fran Karacic
[ ] RWB: Lewis Miller
[ ] RWB: Kealey Adamson
[ ] LWB: Aziz Behich
[ ] LWB: Callum Elder

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Lawrence Thomas
[ ] GK: Peraic-Cullen
[ ] GK: Ashley Maynard-Brewer

Good summary

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

It's hard to pick this far out but my early picks.

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Mohamed Toure
[ ] CF: Kusini Yengi
[ ] CF: [Most in form from the rest]
[ ] RF: Martin Boyle
[ ] RF: Nestory Irankunda
[ ] LF: Craig Goodwin
[ ] LF: Riley McGree

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Jackson Irvine
[ ] CM: Nectarios Triantis
[ ] CM: Max Balard
[ ] CM: Massimo Luongo
[ ] CM: Connor Metcalfe
[ ] CM: Alex Robertson
[ ] CAM: Adrian Segecic

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Harry Souttar
[ ] CB: Alessandro Circati
[ ] CB: Cameron Burgess
[ ] CB: Hayden Matthews
[ ] CB: Jacob Farrell
[ ] RWB: Daniel Bennie
[ ] RWB: Ryan Strain
[ ] LWB: Jordan Bos
[ ] LWB: Kasey Bos

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Mat Ryan
[ ] GK: Joe Gauci
[ ] GK: Paul Izzo

The depth is interesting:

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Noah Botic
[ ] CF: Zachary Sapsford
[ ] CF: Thomas Waddingham
<Stama, Iredale, Duke, Carter>
[ ] RF: Nicolas Milanovic
[ ] RF: Marco Tilio
<Volpato, Mabil>
[ ] LF: Sam Silvera
[ ] LF: Daniel Arzani

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Ryan Teague
[ ] CM: Aiden O'Neill
[ ] CM: Josh Nisbet
[ ] CM: Ajdin Hrusic
[ ] CM: Anthony Kalik
[ ] CM: Cameron Devlin
[ ] CM: Patrick Yazbek
<Baccus, Francois, Genreau, Okon>

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Kye Rowles
[ ] CB: Milos Degenek
[ ] CB: Jason Geria
[ ] CB: Panagiotis Kikianis
[ ] CB: Fran Karacic
[ ] RWB: Lewis Miller
[ ] RWB: Kealey Adamson
[ ] LWB: Aziz Behich
[ ] LWB: Callum Elder

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Lawrence Thomas
[ ] GK: Dylan Peraic-Cullen
[ ] GK: Ashley Maynard-Brewer

I really like your team with the exceptions that I suspect Sapsford and Waddingham are about to have breakout seasons - so those two instaed of Yengi and MIFOTR. I'd also take Nisbet ahead of Metcalfe, but it all just goes to show how much depth we have.

Also, maybe Jack Iredale ahead of Kasey Bos.

Gonna be a fascinating 12 months as they jostle for position.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

The other two major wild cards are Devlin (hugely improved according to the Hearts forum) and Okon junior.

If Okon has a big season in the AL he's a massive chance.

 

[melbcityguy]

I think azarni, Botic, gauci, yenghi tilio, O'Neil and kye are in danger of missing out

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

I think azarni, Botic, gauci, yenghi tilio, O'Neil and kye are in danger of missing out

Yep, all of them will need to do something pretty special to get in. I'd say Arzani has a decent chance if he starts playing regularly.

 

[Barca4life]

With Popa as coach anything could happen and this doesn’t mean it’s a good thing lol.

 

[grazorblade]

Another wildcard is dylan scicluna who, despite only playing a few games, i think is socceroos level before doing his acl

 

[JS96]

It's hard to pick this far out but my early picks.

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Mohamed Toure
[ ] CF: Kusini Yengi
[ ] CF: [Most in form from the rest]
[ ] RF: Martin Boyle
[ ] RF: Nestory Irankunda
[ ] LF: Craig Goodwin
[ ] LF: Riley McGree

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Jackson Irvine
[ ] CM: Nectarios Triantis
[ ] CM: Max Balard
[ ] CM: Massimo Luongo
[ ] CM: Connor Metcalfe
[ ] CM: Alex Robertson
[ ] CAM: Adrian Segecic

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Harry Souttar
[ ] CB: Alessandro Circati
[ ] CB: Cameron Burgess
[ ] CB: Hayden Matthews
[ ] CB: Jacob Farrell
[ ] RWB: Daniel Bennie
[ ] RWB: Ryan Strain
[ ] LWB: Jordan Bos
[ ] LWB: Kasey Bos

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Mat Ryan
[ ] GK: Joe Gauci
[ ] GK: Paul Izzo

The depth is interesting:

Forwards (7)
[ ] CF: Noah Botic
[ ] CF: Zachary Sapsford
[ ] CF: Thomas Waddingham
<Stama, Iredale, Duke, Carter>
[ ] RF: Nicolas Milanovic
[ ] RF: Marco Tilio
<Volpato, Mabil, Drew>
[ ] LF: Sam Silvera
[ ] LF: Daniel Arzani

Midfielders (7)
[ ] CM: Ryan Teague
[ ] CM: Aiden O'Neill
[ ] CM: Josh Nisbet
[ ] CM: Ajdin Hrusic
[ ] CM: Anthony Kalik
[ ] CM: Cameron Devlin
[ ] CM: Patrick Yazbek
<Baccus, Francois, Genreau, Okon, Nieuwenhof, Watts, Hollman>

Defenders (9)
[ ] CB: Kye Rowles
[ ] CB: Milos Degenek
[ ] CB: Jason Geria
[ ] CB: Fran Karacic
[ ] CB: Jack Iredale
<Kikianis>
[ ] RWB: Lewis Miller
[ ] RWB: Kealey Adamson
[ ] LWB: Aziz Behich
[ ] LWB: Callum Elder

Goalkeepers (3)
[ ] GK: Lawrence Thomas
[ ] GK: Dylan Peraic-Cullen
[ ] GK: Ashley Maynard-Brewer

Your squad is pretty much what I want I think.

 

[grazorblade]

Your squad is pretty much what I want I think.

Think i forgot about strain

Too many players!

 

[Quicky]

Your squad is pretty much what I want I think.

I think a lot will depend on form and fitness. That squad assumes a lot goes right for players in clubland.

I could see a scenario where Bennie isn't getting minutes or Strain is injured and Miller is an obvious in then. He'll get picked anyway.

Segecic, Irankunda, Triantis, Matthews, Bos x2, Farrell, Gauci. They all need to be getting games, even if it's just off the bench.

I think game time will dictate the squad quite a bit. Fortunately there is some even depth underneath. That is something we haven't had for a while.