World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[huddo]

MLS definitely play a continental style these days, more similar to belgium than the championship but the quality is probably around Austrian bundesliga style

I'd say the Austrian level is apt in attack. Though the defensive structures in alot of the clubs are weak, so even then the ability in a lot of clubs in attack is overstated.

What I find strange, is how their national team some how maintains their ranking in the top 20. Honestly in the last 2 years who with substance have the USNMT beaten? Mexico, once? Ghana 2 years ago?

 

[Barca4life]

Why I took a break from Australian football - Part 4: Media and discourse

"Maybe you're just complaining because you can, or in Australian football, it has somehow become the 'cool' thing to do." The fourth of a five-part series on why Christian Marchetti took a break from Australian football.

www.frontpagefootball.net

"But I'd also ask you: What exactly will make you happy? If you know what that is, no problem; I'm all ears. If you don't, maybe you're just complaining because you can, or in Australian football, it has somehow become the 'cool' thing to do."

Although what if what makes you happy is complaining about and overanalysing your favourite sport with mates

Did I read this wrong but did this guy quit because he can’t handle people’s opinion of the game?

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

On the Nizzy height question (apart-height in my view)...

An Aussie coach working overseas is a mate of mine (he knows Nizz very well). Last time he was in Oz he came to mine for a BBQ and we discussed the Nizz situation - when he was rumoured to go to Ross County but hadn't signed. This is (more or less) what he said:

"I love Nizz... he's a brilliant player... but no-one overseas will ever see past his height. He'd be perfect for the Japanese league, or the Spanish league but they don't need him. They already have thousands of players who do what Nizz does. If an overseas coach signs an Oz player, they are not looking for Nizz's technical qualities. They are looking for speed, strength and will to win. Those features can lift a dressing room but they've already got plenty of good technical players."

He then bet me a bottle of good red that Nizz will never play 50 matches in Europe.

I'm about halfway to winning that bet but the point is... height is absolutely the issue for Nizz.

 

[grazorblade]

I'd say the Austrian level is apt in attack. Though the defensive structures in alot of the clubs are weak, so even then the ability in a lot of clubs in attack is overstated.

What I find strange, is how their national team some how maintains their ranking in the top 20. Honestly in the last 2 years who with substance have the USNMT beaten? Mexico, once? Ghana 2 years ago?

We are above them in elo

I guess fifa weight world cup performances really high

 

[grazorblade]

Did I read this wrong but did this guy quit because he can’t handle people’s opinion of the game?

Think he needed a break and came back

 

[grazorblade]

On the Nizzy height question (apart-height in my view)...

An Aussie coach working overseas is a mate of mine (he knows Nizz very well). Last time he was in Oz he came to mine for a BBQ and we discussed the Nizz situation - when he was rumoured to go to Ross County but hadn't signed. This is (more or less) what he said:

"I love Nizz... he's a brilliant player... but no-one overseas will ever see past his height. He'd be perfect for the Japanese league, or the Spanish league but they don't need him. They already have thousands of players who do what Nizz does. If an overseas coach signs an Oz player, they are not looking for Nizz's technical qualities. They are looking for speed, strength and will to win. Those features can lift a dressing room but they've already got plenty of good technical players."

He then bet me a bottle of good red that Nizz will never play 50 matches in Europe.

I'm about halfway to winning that bet but the point is... height is absolutely the issue for Nizz.

Portsmouth head said that they want australian players because we are full of good atheletes

They were then surprised that waddingham is technically ok, despite him being technically weaker than most his age

Old perceptions die hard
We are now, if anything technically above average once you get young enough but athletically remedial

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Portsmouth head said that they want australian players because we are full of good atheletes

They were then surprised that waddingham is technically ok, despite him being technically weaker than most his age

Old perceptions die hard
We are now, if anything technically above average once you get young enough but athletically remedial

Farrell is technically brilliant. It's just that he's been so injured that they've been unable to assess his technique so far.

 

[huddo]

Why I took a break from Australian football - Part 4: Media and discourse

"Maybe you're just complaining because you can, or in Australian football, it has somehow become the 'cool' thing to do." The fourth of a five-part series on why Christian Marchetti took a break from Australian football.

www.frontpagefootball.net

"But I'd also ask you: What exactly will make you happy? If you know what that is, no problem; I'm all ears. If you don't, maybe you're just complaining because you can, or in Australian football, it has somehow become the 'cool' thing to do."

Although what if what makes you happy is complaining about and overanalysing your favourite sport with mates

Wait, I don't get this?

He is upset because as a journalist he doesn't like people critiquing the footballers, even though that is what he was paid to do?

I may disagree with some people's opinions on here, but I think we can all agree this bloke seems like a knob.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Farrell is technically brilliant. It's just that he's been so injured that they've been unable to assess his technique so far.

In fact, he's my prediction for our long term LB if he can get his injury situation right.

Probably the sort of player Popa would like also.

 

[Quicky]

On the Nizzy height question (apart-height in my view)...

An Aussie coach working overseas is a mate of mine (he knows Nizz very well). Last time he was in Oz he came to mine for a BBQ and we discussed the Nizz situation - when he was rumoured to go to Ross County but hadn't signed. This is (more or less) what he said:

"I love Nizz... he's a brilliant player... but no-one overseas will ever see past his height. He'd be perfect for the Japanese league, or the Spanish league but they don't need him. They already have thousands of players who do what Nizz does. If an overseas coach signs an Oz player, they are not looking for Nizz's technical qualities. They are looking for speed, strength and will to win. Those features can lift a dressing room but they've already got plenty of good technical players."

He then bet me a bottle of good red that Nizz will never play 50 matches in Europe.

I'm about halfway to winning that bet but the point is... height is absolutely the issue for Nizz.

It makes me wonder if Nisbet is better off in the AL then. It's competetive here. We need his qualities and maybe we also need to see past his height and even our opinion of our league.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

It makes me wonder if Nisbet is better off in the AL then. It's competetive here. We need his qualities and maybe we also need to see past his height and even our opinion of our league.

I agree, kinda...

But any young player will want to test themselves in Europe. You can't blame him and he IS good enough, after all.

 

[Quicky]

I agree, kinda...

But any young player will want to test themselves in Europe. You can't blame him and he IS good enough, after all.

I don't blame him for trying.

 

[Barca4life]

Think he needed a break and came back

It feels a weird reason to quit because of what is said on social media you can’t control everything that is said, that’s like most topics anyway so I would not get worked up too much.

Taking a break from social media is ok as long as you are ready to come back.

 

[JS96]

Saudi Arabia
Qatar

Hosts for the upcoming #AsianQualifiers Playoffs are now confirmed!

October 8 - 14, 2025

Decent facilities but I reckon each group should be in a neutral place.

Japan and South Korea seem very distant to ever trying to host games let alone events. Australia, SK, Japan, China, Malaysia, UAE should offered to host.

Iraq and Indonesia aren't happy.

 

[Keeper66]

Saudi Arabia
Qatar

Hosts for the upcoming #AsianQualifiers Playoffs are now confirmed!

October 8 - 14, 2025

Decent facilities but I reckon each group should be in a neutral place.

Japan and South Korea seem very distant to ever trying to host games let alone events. Australia, SK, Japan, China, Malaysia, UAE should offered to host.

Iraq and Indonesia aren't happy.

Don’t blame Iraq and Indo for being unhappy. And also won’t Saudi and Qatar have a week long break between their games as highest ranked countries as well? Looks suspiciously like FIFA trying to guarantee their qualification.

 

[verrelli]

Don’t blame Iraq and Indo for being unhappy. And also won’t Saudi and Qatar have a week long break between their games as highest ranked countries as well? Looks suspiciously like FIFA trying to guarantee their qualification.

That's exactly what it is. Outrageous that it not be in a neutral country and that Saudi and Qatar will have home games. Hope that both get smashed. So does this mean that Saudi and Qatar are in separate pots? Are there seedings in place?

 

[verrelli]

Just saw on Wikipedia that there are 3 pots. Saudi (#58) only just ahead of Iraq (#59) in pot 1.

 

[JS96]

Just saw on Wikipedia that there are 3 pots. Saudi (#58) only just ahead of Iraq (#59) in pot 1.

I'm not sure when the draw will be made and if it'll be after the most recent results which may see a ranking change.

Right now it's
Qatar Saudi
Iraq UAE
Oman Indonesia

Would love a Saudi Iraq Indonesia group.

 

[huddo]

I'm not sure when the draw will be made and if it'll be after the most recent results which may see a ranking change.

Right now it's
Qatar Saudi
Iraq UAE
Oman Indonesia

Would love a Saudi Iraq Indonesia group.

Nah, I want Indonesia and Iraq to qualify.

 

[Cunningstunt]

That's exactly what it is. Outrageous that it not be in a neutral country and that Saudi and Qatar will have home games. Hope that both get smashed. So does this mean that Saudi and Qatar are in separate pots? Are there seedings in place?

Almost certainly I would think it is more a money thing than anyone caring that they qualify.

I can't remember who said this, but only Saudi and Qatar are willing to put up cash in Asia these days. Hence no tournaments in East Asia, countries not willing to pay the cost.