THE stage is set for the Socceroos, who have official confirmation of their path through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
Featuring a range of fresh faces and a new man in charge, the excitement around Australia leading into North America has been sky high, as a top qualifying campaign saw the Aussies secure their place on the biggest stage with relative confidence.<\/p>\n
Set to face host nation USA, Paraguay and one of Turkiye, Kosovo, Slovakia and Romania in Group D, the Socceroos have been rewarded with a rather favourable draw, having performed well enough to sneak into Pot 2 before Saturday morning’s draw.<\/p>\n
With 2026 preparations set to commence, former Socceroos star and Premier League winner Robbie Slater outlined the two players he believes will be key to the side escaping what he believes is a “tough” draw.<\/p>\n
“What I got out of the USA game \u2013 we were outplayed. Jordy Bos is one of our very best players and let’s hope he is fit and ready to go, along with the likes of Harry Souttar \u2013 he would be a big bonus coming in,” Slater told Gloves Off with Mark Bosnich.<\/p>\n
“I think that defence is going to be key to any success, particularly with the way that [coach] Tony Popovic plays. He loves to play with a back five, so if he can have Harry Souttar in there, that would be his dream. Harry is not only a defender, but he is one of our top goal scorers! He is such a threat from set pieces.”<\/p>\n
Outside of the potential gamechangers, Slater doesn’t have ample faith in Australia’s chances beyond the groups, providing his honest assessment of where the national side sits in the lead up to the World Cup.<\/p>\n
“The thing with the USA, and particularly that European nation\u2026 we are going to sit back, we are going to hit on the counter, we won’t have possession \u2013 that’s just the way Tony Popovic plays,” he continued.<\/p>\n
“That’s not a criticism, that’s just his style and he’s had success with it. A back five, probably one up front, we’ve tucked in inverted wingers… it depends on who you’re going to choose in that position.<\/p>\n
“The stark reality of where we are today in Socceroo terms\u2026 I hear people saying, ‘we’ve got to try to make the quarter finals for the first time’, slow down! This is not a team of Harry Kewell’s and Mark Viduka’s and Tim Cahill’s. We don’t have players of that calibre any more.<\/p>\n
“That’s also a point of the way Popovic plays \u2013 we are just not good enough to go out and take the game to other teams. We are basically a counter attacking team, and that’s the reality of where we are today.”<\/p>\n
Looking into the Socceroos’ expected squad, Slater has concerns that the side lacks top-end talent to head a relatively strong unit, however, he does have belief that one of the nation’s most exciting talents could thrive within the tournament format.<\/p>\n
“These big nations have solid squads, they have good players, and then they have a couple of superstars, or even one. The only one that \u2013 for me \u2013 could jump out of the box, he was of course signed by Bayern Munich, he is now at Watford\u2026 it is [Nestory] Irankunda.<\/p>\n
“He is very inconsistent, but on his day\u2026 to put him in the realm of ‘Galactico’, I don’t think he can be that. He’s got the attributes, if you put it into isolation and analyse his game, if he is at the top, he can take players on. He’s got a wonderful free kick, he is fast, physical and he can dribble at players.<\/p>\n
“We don’t have players that can really do that anymore, but he is one that can. He would be the one if Popovic can get him fit, and in form, but it is a real question mark as to whether we have anyone.<\/p>\n
“That’s just the reality of where we are.”<\/p>\n
The FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in June of 2026.<\/p>\n