Socceroos The Socceroos Thread - The Boss Tony Popovic

[AJ_2000]

We would have to be complete muppets not to qualify, so many chances:

Next up for us is the Third round, 3 groups of 6. Top 2 from each group go to the WC.

3rd and 4th from each group go on to the Fourth round, 2 groups of 3. Winners of each group go to WC.

Runners-up from each group go to the Fifth round! This is a two-legged playoff to progress to the inter-confederation play-offs. This is the one we'd want to avoid.

The fifth-round winner will join one team each from CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs. The teams will be ranked according to the FIFA Men's World Ranking, with the four lowest-ranked teams playing in two single-elimination matches. The winners will meet the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches, with the winners of these matches qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Seeing the pots and the qualifying process, I wouldn't be shocked to see us in the playoffs (yet again). Surely not the inter confederation... But you never know

We don't like doing this the easy way.

 

[jakey]

For those on Volpato watch, hes playing for the Italy U20s

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/cristian-volpato-chooses-to-play-for-italys-under20-team-rather-than-the-socceroos/news-story/0cc818d4fa1ac6b864b0ba84bb0b65fa

Reality is he'd be next to no chance to be a regular for the Italy senior team. Based on the footage I've seen of him he can either choose to be at the next 3 WCs for Australia or top out at maybe a sub appearance against Andorra in a dead rubber for Italy.

 

[Zidane98]

Reality is he'd be next to no chance to be a regular for the Italy senior team. Based on the footage I've seen of him he can either choose to be at the next 3 WCs for Australia or top out at maybe a sub appearance against Andorra in a dead rubber for Italy.

Yep not sure who he thinks he is. Certainly not the next Totti.

If he gets the callup to the Socceroos he can't refuse or there will be serious ramifications for his club career.

We haven't gone down that path yet, hopefully it doesn't come to that.

Nothing beats Simunic being selected for both Australia & Croatia in the same friendly match.

 

[ioppolo]

Yep not sure who he thinks he is. Certainly not the next Totti.

If he gets the callup to the Socceroos he can't refuse or there will be serious ramifications for his club career.

We haven't gone down that path yet, hopefully it doesn't come to that.

Nothing beats Simunic being selected for both Australia & Croatia in the same friendly match.

Wait, when did that happen? That's outrageous. His Wikipedia has nothing on that.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Japan and Saudi Arabia. Absolutely cursed when it comes to draws we are. Strong chance we are going through the play offs again.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Wait, when did that happen? That's outrageous. His Wikipedia has nothing on that.

Yeah it was a friendly in Europe, can’t remember what year.

 

[ioppolo]

Japan and Saudi Arabia. Absolutely cursed when it comes to draws we are. Strong chance we are going through the play offs again.

8.5 spots, surely one way or another we're getting to the world cup

 

[FreoRicci]

Jesus.
Has Australia been joined at the hip with Japan through qualifying?

Can Australia not get Iran? Or Iraq? Or UAE?

Far out. Australia will most likely be third in this group

 

[FreoRicci]

Group. A

Iran
Qatar
Uzbekistan
UAE
Kyrgyzstan
North korea


Couldn’t get that group? FFS

 

[giggler99]

We have drawn Group C for the final round of Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup

 

[Ocha905]

Japan and Saudi Arabia. Absolutely cursed when it comes to draws we are. Strong chance we are going through the play offs again.

South Korea are ranked 1 spot ahead of us in the World Rankings which gave them the last slot in Pot 1. If we were just ahead of them we would have had their piss easy group.

 

[Ocha905]

Home games goal should be to go undefeated (draw vs Japan & Arabia, win the rest). Beating Arabia is the stretch goal. I trust us to beat Bahrain, China and Indonesia (the bottom 3) at home.

Away games are going to be tricky. Will probably lose to Japan, need to draw with Arabia and at worst draw/lose just one against the Bottom 3.

The key is the Arabia games and winning the away matches against Bahrain, China and Indonesia.

 

[FreoRicci]

Home games goal should be to go undefeated (draw vs Japan & Arabia, win the rest). Beating Arabia is the stretch goal. I trust us to beat Bahrain, China and Indonesia (the bottom 3) at home.

Away games are going to be tricky. Will probably lose to Japan, need to draw with Arabia and at worst draw/lose just one against the Bottom 3.

The key is the Arabia games and winning the away matches against Bahrain, China and Indonesia.

Saudis always ready with a scrappy game. Have to avenge for that horrid draw previous World Cup campaign.
Japan away is going to be impossible. Saudis may help us in beating them at home.

Second should be the goal, and just move on

 

[GOALden Hawk]

South Korea are ranked 1 spot ahead of us in the World Rankings which gave them the last slot in Pot 1. If we were just ahead of them we would have had their piss easy group.

Yep - if Arnie hadn’t cooked our Asian Cup campaign and we did just slightly better we would have been in the top pot. Didn’t cop anywhere near enough heat for that performance

 

[AJ_2000]

Japan away gives us a good test. Hopefully lessons learned after the debarcle of throwing away a point to chase the win.

 

[Hamingja]

Group. A

Iran
Qatar
Uzbekistan
UAE
Kyrgyzstan
North korea


Couldn’t get that group? FFS

Good draw for Qatar, just saying....

 

[Zidane98]

Good draw for Qatar, just saying....

Yep. The only time they have to travel a long distance is North Korea away. I'm sure the Emir of Qatar will travel and have a chat with Kim Jong while watching the game about human rights improvements.

 

[giggler99]

Back in Melbourne!

 

[foxdog50]

Back in Melbourne!

Does anyone know how to join the pre sale option?

 

[gaskin]

Does anyone know how to join the pre sale option?

I think it is for A-League club members.

 

[giggler99]

Does anyone know how to join the pre sale option?

You will need to create a Football Australia account on their website it's free.

Create your football account

www.footballaustralia.com.au

 

[giggler99]

I think it is for A-League club members.

You don't need to be an A-League club member just need an Australia Football account, but A-League club members are automatically included.

 

[foxdog50]

You will need to create a Football Australia account on their website it's free.

Create your football account

www.footballaustralia.com.au

Much appreciated

 

[phil daly]

Anyone able to share the presale link / password? Have signed up for the account but never got an email. Thanks

 

[foxdog50]

Anyone able to share the presale link / password? Have signed up for the account but never got an email. Thanks

Yes I'm the same as you... I signed up Wednesday night and no luck with presale