World Cup Qualification Thread for 2026 - Socceroos/Asia

[NicCarBel]

Projected WC 2026 lineup (as of 26 Mar):

Hosts:
AFC:
CAF:
CONCACAF:
CONMEBOL:
OFC:
UEFA:
IC Playoffs:

I wonder how they landed on Honduras for CONCACAF? The second round hasn't been completed, and higher ranked nations are also in the same position as Honduras (Jamaica)

My version of this is:
Hosts
AFC
CAF
CONCACAF
CONMEBOL
OFC
UEFA
IC Playoffs

For those who keep saying "BUT SAUDI" to me (when I was using the December FIFA Rankings) - the method I've done for this is:
All current standings are taken as final. Any further rounds are then decided by the LIVE FIFA Rankings available at https://football-ranking.com/fifa-world-rankings. I was previously using the December FIFA Rankings, but have decided on using the one referenced above as it takes the most recent matches into account.

UEFA I have just used the seeded teams, as the majority of these have not played any games in the first round due to the Nations League playoffs, and thus the standings are incorrectly skewed.

LOL, everyone gets a participation award.

the shine of the WC for me has changed cause of this expanded 48 format.

should of kept it at 32.

32 team world cup using the old methods would have been, by the looks of it (and using similar method to above):
Hosts
AFC
CAF
CONCACAF
CONMEBOL
UEFA
IC Playoffs (2 random matches drawn from the following four teams, winners qualify)

 

[LFC]

Don't be saying that name here! You may be labelled biased for looking at the stats over last 3 years!

I get the hype behind him and coming from you CCM fellas, kudos I get it. They swept the floor last couple of seasons.
Beasting AL in the middle of the park and higher isn't BIG school to me but you can only play whats in front of you and thats the big point.
When and IF he gets to play a few Roo games on the trot against better defenders/DM's and he proves his worth I'll say yep he's done good but not on the recent past what he does ahead as long as he gets the chances.
All the blinding good stats mean nothing till you've cut the same type of mustard against better players your facing game in game out.
Not being a DH here - trumpet blowing has its merits but proof is in the future pudding/crystal ball.

 

[LFC]

LOL, everyone gets a participation award.

the shine of the WC for me has changed cause of this expanded 48 format.

should of kept it at 32.

Its meant to be growth - poster here quoted how good it is to have the minnows given a go and growth as mentioned.
I'm not for it as others have mentioned, lets see what the post goss is after this over crowded WC.
Gonna be interesting.

 

[huddo]

I get the hype behind him and coming from you CCM fellas, kudos I get it. They swept the floor last couple of seasons.
Beasting AL in the middle of the park and higher isn't BIG school to me but you can only play whats in front of you and thats the big point.
When and IF he gets to play a few Roo games on the trot against better defenders/DM's and he proves his worth I'll say yep he's done good but not on the recent past what he does ahead as long as he gets the chances.
All the blinding good stats mean nothing till you've cut the same type of mustard against better players your facing game in game out.
Not being a DH here - trumpet blowing has its merits but proof is in the future pudding/crystal ball.

So how is "BIG school" demonstrated? I mean in the GF last year did Teague demonstrated how not to not mark an AM in the 91st minute (and still get the call up)?

Nizzy is a AM, not a DM, the fact you can't recognise it means his versatility is once again ignored.

 

[LFC]

So how is "BIG school" demonstrated? I mean in the GF last year did Teague not demonstrate how not to not mark an AM in the 91st minute (and still get the call up)?

Nizzy is a AM, not a DM, the fact you can't recognise it means his versatility is once again ignored.

oh doesn't a AM contest or compete around opposing DM's ? could have fooled me.
A sound good central midfielder is normally quite versitle might I add.
Big school is cutting the mustard abroad for me, farfar more competition at higher levels and players of very different skill sets developments.
Mr huddo, we all have our own opinions and how we see it, I respect yours and expect visa versa.

 

[huddo]

oh doesn't a AM contest or compete around opposing DM's ? could have fooled me.
A sound good central midfielder is normally quite versitle might I add.
Big school is cutting the mustard abroad for me, farfar more competition at higher levels and players of very different skill sets developments.
Mr huddo, we all have our own opinions and how we see it, I respect yours and expect visa versa.

Half of Popa's selections haven't tested themselves abroad?! Nizzy is doing just that.

 

[jas88]

Hard to pick if 10s in a-league can translate to Europe. You just get so much space and time here especially in those warm games in the summer. They just don't get to work in tight areas like overseas. Just my opinion. The modern football perception of needing pace and height to play in the middle is pretty evident. Nizzy will need to find a manager who really believes in him. He has that now. But he needs to go to the continent.

 

[huddo]

Hard to pick if 10s in a-league can translate to Europe. You just get so much space and time here especially in those warm games in the summer. They just don't get to work in tight areas like overseas. Just my opinion. The modern football perception of needing pace and height to play in the middle is pretty evident. Nizzy will need to find a manager who really believes in him. He has that now. But he needs to go to the continent.

The issue with getting to the continent is getting in the shop window. Like Irvine and Souttar, Nizzy recognizes RC offers a cheap window in which to demonstrate his wares to europe. its what I don't understand when people look at the Nizzys RC move as a negative, he is literally doing it to demonstrate his abilities away from the Aleague!!

 

[RIMB]

Hard to pick if 10s in a-league can translate to Europe. You just get so much space and time here especially in those warm games in the summer. They just don't get to work in tight areas like overseas. Just my opinion. The modern football perception of needing pace and height to play in the middle is pretty evident. Nizzy will need to find a manager who really believes in him. He has that now. But he needs to go to the continent.

One small point on this though is that Nisbet did show composure, vision and skill in the aleague when he was hard pressed for time and space. He could retain possession, spot opportunities and pick a pass through traffic.

We often don't see that much vision, composure and execution in our league in general so when an individual or even team shows it we take notice. Nisbet did show it.

Maybe overseas they have to do it constantly or maybe smaller players get bullied more - I have no idea about that - but Nisbet did get pressed by multiple good aleague players time and again and he could handle that.

I do agree there is no way we can translate aleague performance to another league really without actually seeing someone tested in similar structures and formations there.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Nizz is still adjusting to Scotland where conditions are sooooo different to Oz.

He does have his fans at RC and his team mates obviously rate him. I expect him to be doing really well by the end of the season. He's doing pretty well now.

 

[jas88]

The issue with getting to the continent is getting in the shop window. Like Irvine and Souttar, Nizzy recognizes RC offers a cheap window in which to demonstrate his wares to europe. its what I don't understand when people look at the Nizzys RC move as a negative, he is literally doing it to demonstrate his abilities away from the Aleague!!

No I think its a good move too the coach seems to really rate him, I just think he would thrive in somewhere like spain which I think can he his end goal La Liga maybe. I think we need a good mix of all the top 5 leagues.

 

[LFC]

Half of Popa's selections haven't tested themselves abroad?! Nizzy is doing just that.

were talking about this 1 player no one else ?!
By the way I consider anywhere away from here gets you the opportunity being in the shop window - some leagues better than others but SPL does have its merits and very well known.
jas88 express's in part my take as well (plus I'm sure others would but won't/dont bother express their view) there is no need for your blinded passive aggressiveness the way I read your response's rear.
Next RIMB mentioned exactely other points, a decent player standing out here has alot time and frigging space, sure you got to deleiver and that he did but please we've seen it all before by other players no matter the possi that then once offshore struggle to demonstrate their abilities playing here.
Good things take time, I wish him well but I'm on the fence IF he does step up 1/2 levels.
Agreed always a massive adjustment MrCleansheets, some get there some don't.

 

[huddo]

were talking about this 1 player no one else ?!
By the way I consider anywhere away from here gets you the opportunity being in the shop window - some leagues better than others but SPL does have its merits and very well known.
jas88 express's in part my take as well (plus I'm sure others would but won't/dont bother express their view) there is no need for your blinded passive aggressiveness the way I read your response's rear.
Next RIMB mentioned exactely other points, a decent player standing out here has alot time and frigging space, sure you got to deleiver and that he did but please we've seen it all before by other players no matter the possi that then once offshore struggle to demonstrate their abilities playing here.
Good things take time, I wish him well but I'm on the fence IF he does step up 1/2 levels.
Agreed always a massive adjustment MrCleansheets, some get there some don't.

You can't talk about one player without having a marker. You cant talk about his omission, without looking at who Popa admitted.

Nisbet for some reason ( probably his height) was only offered 2 transfer options publicly, RC and Dutch tier 2 football. He took the best option available to him.

P.s I haven't been passive aggressive. Aggressive maybe, assertive definately, but I don't know how I've been passive. And my position isn't blind either. its pretty grounded noting the history of the player; and the players currently in the national team.

 

[LFC]

No need for marker and what poppa is doing re selections isn’t unusual meaning world over some picks and not happens week to week.
They all have their ways and reasons we will never know but some make worldly assumptions about it.
Prob his height ? Yer nah maybe back in the old far more physical days think scouts managers TD’s have opened their eyes a lot more in the modern times.
Yes true wrongly expressed re passive, aggressive assertive go for it won’t change much but how you come across as a angry
Blind - I never mentioned this but if you feel to say so due to your club knowledge good on you for your vested interest though I also can say what I see as well and as valid imo on both outlooks mentioning the NT.

 

[huddo]

Blind - I never mentioned this...

...blinded passive aggressiveness....

 

[LFC]

lol blind latter mention was of your knowledge cheesh.
Lets move on it will just be back and forth you say I say.

 

[Cunningstunt]

You can't talk about one player without having a marker. You cant talk about his omission, without looking at who Popa admitted.

Nisbet for some reason ( probably his height) was only offered 2 transfer options publicly, RC and Dutch tier 2 football. He took the best option available to him.

P.s I haven't been passive aggressive. Aggressive maybe, assertive definately, but I don't know how I've been passive. And my position isn't blind either. its pretty grounded noting the history of the player; and the players currently in the national team.

You do come across as angry, even bitter about it.

The other thing is no one really disagrees with you that much. Almost everyone would be happy with his selection for all the reasons you continue to point out. The disagreement is just about his level, most people probably don't think he is so good that he would make the team noticeably better than the people who were selected. Popa has this view, and so does most of the football world given Ross County were the only side who came in for him on a free transfer.

 

[Quicky]

I would have picked Nisbet over Teague. I'd also have played a different formation with a 10. I don't think there is any arguing that Teague didn't justify his selection with his performance. I don't like the formation either and worry it'll come unstuck but it's also getting results so far.

 

[Cunningstunt]

I would have picked Nisbet over Teague. I'd also have played a different formation with a 10. I don't think there is any arguing that Teague didn't justify his selection with his performance. I don't like the formation either and worry it'll come unstuck but it's also getting results so far.

I pretty much agree with this.

I would like to be able to pick apart tactics a bit better like some of the others here. But I think I have a preference for a midfielder dropping in between two CBs with four at the back, rather than having that build up start with a CB. Also playing more traditional wide wingers, rather than the inverted setup we have at the moment would make it easier to bring Irankunda into a role he is comfortable with. But I'm not sure what the drawbacks would be compared to the current setup.

 

[RIMB]

I would have picked Nisbet over Teague. I'd also have played a different formation with a 10. I don't think there is any arguing that Teague didn't justify his selection with his performance. I don't like the formation either and worry it'll come unstuck but it's also getting results so far.

The formation and system Popa uses actually aligns with those who think our playing skill and quality is not up to open, competitive football - as discussed in depth many times over the years.

Those who say we have to play defensively and score on the counter because we do not have the cattle to play any other way might be seeing something akin to the perfect Australian national football model under Popa. 7 defensively focussed and selected out field players and 3 dynamic attacking players.

Each part of the system can operate in isolation of the other - so we can throw everything our 3 forwards have into attacking knowing that the 7 defenders are safely guarding our behinds.

I don't like playing overly defensive, countering football (zzzzzzz) but Popa is generating and, so far, maintaining that 3 player attacking threat and I am finding it quite entertaining and satisfying to watch so far.